Cold rain to bring more drought and wildfire relief to Northwest Montana

Another soaking rain is on track to douse parched Northwest Montana beginning Tuesday night.

The storm will affect all of western Montana through Thursday, but areas around the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park could see the most beneficial precipitation.

According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, up to an inch of rain is likely in some areas. Lows in the upper elevations could dip into the 30s, while the valleys will cool off into the 40s overnight.

Meterologist Dan Borsum, with the Northern Rockies Coordination Center, said the incoming storm would put a serious damper on wildfire activity and help with severe drought conditions affecting the region.

“Considering we’ve had rainfall events on the 9th and 22nd of August, it looks like we’re starting to slowly accumulate moisture in the landscape and possible slowing some of the drought and drying concerns,” Borsum said in his Monday fire weather briefing.

The extended outlook shows above average precipitation, as well, he said.

FIRE CREWS on Monday had reached 76% containment on the Ridge Fire southeast of Hungry Horse. More than 400 firefighters remained assigned to the incident that was estimated at 3,665 acres in size. Minimal heat was reported from the fire.

On Monday, firefighters were working to clean up and repair areas affected by suppression efforts, such as spreading chip piles and building water bars to help stop erosion.

The nearby Doris Point fire on the west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir was sized at 1,597 acres with 68% containment Monday. Structure protection equipment was removed north of the Lost Johnny area, but remained in place at the boat ramp.

Containment of the 8,100-acre Tin Solider Fire reached 81%, with crews working on creating fuel breaks.

The Hungry Horse Reservoir remained closed to all public access, including both the east and west side roads. 

NEAR OLNEY, the East Fork Fire was 15% contained at 5,106 acres in size.

Over the weekend a fireline was created by heavy equipment while water bucket drops hit more active areas. Crews were planning to deploy a drone to drop plastic sphere dispensers to strategically start fire operations.

Some communities near the fire remained in a pre-evacuation warning.

In Sanders County, the River Road East Fire was sized at 17,115 acres with 14% containment.

Crews planned a firing operation on Monday on the northwest flank west of River Road East. Smoke was expected to be visible from Montana 200 and Plains.

A section of the Flathead River at Perma Bridge to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes boundary remained closed.