Fire danger jumps to high

A wave of hot, dry weather across the northwest region of Montana has pushed the fire danger rating to high.

This means campfires, fine dead fuels and brush have become high-risk fire hazards that could ignite and spread if left unattended or not controlled quickly, Flathead National Forest spokesperson Janette Turk said Friday.

Since June 28, area wild land firefighters have responded to 15 fire starts in the Flathead area, Turk said.

“Of these starts, 11 were human caused, and four were holdover fires from lightning. Timely initial attack by firefighters kept these starts at less than an acre in size,” she added.

Hot, dry weather is predicted for the foreseeable future, according to the National Weather Service in Missoula. Daytime highs will be in the upper 90s and approaching 100 degrees in some locations on Saturday. Highs in the upper 80s and low 90s are forecast through next week, with little chance of precipitation.

Despite the fire danger rating rising to high, no fire restrictions are currently in place.

“Forest visitors should be very aware of the conditions while visiting and recreating in Northwest Montana,” Turk said.

“We can’t stop the hot weather and lightning storms, but we can do our part to be ‘firewise’ when we are camping, traveling, and at home in the wild lands.”