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Posted: 6/14/2021 12:14:21 AM EDT
[#1]
Still green & better off in the West Central part although the T-Storm that went over Blue Mtn last week caused two smokes to pop up.
Snow pack is still good but climbing up the hills/slopes pretty good. We're in with NC ID as being in the best shape but that can change quick with a few weeks of hot weather. We'll see what happens in July & August. After 17 we've been pretty good locally but we're still downwind from ID for the thick smoke. Mother Nature still bats last. |
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Posted: 6/14/2021 8:15:52 AM EDT
[#2]
You guys are lucky. We are waaay ahead of where we should be for the year. Not much as far as moisture for april-june. Grass is already dry and ready to burn in spots. These 90s and 100+ degree days is not going to help at all.
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Posted: 6/14/2021 8:27:52 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You guys are lucky. We are waaay ahead of where we should be for the year. Not much as far as moisture for april-june. Grass is already dry and ready to burn in spots. These 90s and 100+ degree days is not going to help at all. Based on your experience, will non-spark producing ammo start a grass fire either from hot lead or brass? |
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Posted: 6/14/2021 10:41:53 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Based on your experience, will non-spark producing ammo start a grass fire either from hot lead or brass? |
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Posted: 6/14/2021 1:45:43 PM EDT
[#5]
That's why I only shoot cast lead outside of a range with dirt berms. 22 years eating smoke for USFS, I learned a little bit about wild fires. I have seen grass fires already along I-15 even though it's still green.
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Posted: 6/14/2021 3:12:20 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yep, I think we're boned. Based on your experience, will non-spark producing ammo start a grass fire either from hot lead or brass? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: You guys are lucky. We are waaay ahead of where we should be for the year. Not much as far as moisture for april-june. Grass is already dry and ready to burn in spots. These 90s and 100+ degree days is not going to help at all. Based on your experience, will non-spark producing ammo start a grass fire either from hot lead or brass? It could. Most fires are started by tracers or sparks from bullets impacting steel targets. |
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Posted: 6/14/2021 11:13:15 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yep, I think we're boned. Based on your experience, will non-spark producing ammo start a grass fire either from hot lead or brass? I have seen fire start from a broadhead (arrow). Things are very dry. Yesterday the Mrs and I were heading to Holter Dam to start our float down the river. Within two miles of getting onto the interstate there was a grass fire just starting to take off from a trailer that had grenaded a wheel. Talk about feeling helpless. I was in my commuter car, dressed on crocks and plastic clothes, and had zero tools in the car to deal with such things. All I could do is call for help.  Lessons learned.We got off the river and when we hit Sieben Flats we could see the column coming off of the Deep Creek fire east of Townsend. That one went to somewhere around 200 ac in a few hours. That seems to be the norm anymore for June fires in the Helena valley. Drove by it twice today as I went to layout slashing units ahead of the contractors. Looked like they had a handle on things. It was 103* when I hit East Helena.  We’ll see what tomorrow’s Red Flag Warning brings with 95* and gusts in the mid 30’s. |
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Posted: 6/15/2021 1:54:36 PM EDT
[#8]
Far east side is a tinder box waiting to kick off. We're already had a few good ones right along/over the ND boarder.
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Posted: 6/15/2021 4:31:28 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Far east side is a tinder box waiting to kick off. We're already had a few good ones right along/over the ND boarder. Robinson draw fire just blew up. We are staffing a few severity engines today along with the next few days. Yee haw. |
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Posted: 6/15/2021 5:43:09 PM EDT
[#10]
Hell of a way to try to start the growing season.
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Posted: 6/15/2021 9:31:28 PM EDT
[#11]
Holy fuck. It hit 107 today on the plant's weather station.
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Posted: 6/15/2021 10:46:56 PM EDT
[#12]
It got real today. The fire south of red lodge got up and moved. Reports of structures burned. New fire reported on top of the pryors. 2000+ acres. One over in the Big Horn. One on the rez.
They crashed a state helicopter 98M up by Helena. All the crew members made it out. I have been on that ship numerous times. |
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Posted: 6/15/2021 11:31:29 PM EDT
[#13]
Not sure you you have to have a url to post pictures here these days. Is the site not hosting photos?
Deep Creek Canyon went for it today. Jumped highway 12 and has run to the top of the canyon. Primary and secondary homes lost as well as outbuildings. As TOTHEMAX reported a stated ship crashed at our helibase. Everyone walked away thank god. We’re dealing with late August fuel conditions in June. There’s no way we’re pulling out of this. Brace for a long smoke filled summer. If you haven’t already, clean up your property and get as much defensible space created RIGHT NOW! |
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Posted: 6/15/2021 11:53:44 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not sure you you have to have a url to post pictures here these days. Is the site not hosting photos? Deep Creek Canyon went for it today. Jumped highway 12 and has run to the top of the canyon. Primary and secondary homes lost as well as outbuildings. As TOTHEMAX reported a stated ship crashed at our helibase. Everyone walked away thank god. We’re dealing with late August fuel conditions in June. There’s no way we’re pulling out of this. Brace for a long smoke filled summer. If you haven’t already, clean up your property and get as much defensible space created RIGHT NOW! When you reply, click in the attach image below the text box. You can upload images there and post them. |
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Posted: 6/16/2021 12:17:54 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: When you reply, click in the attach image below the text box. You can upload images there and post them. Thanks, I’m tired. Waiting to get this IAP approved so I can spent the next 1.5 hours making copies. Fire by Red Lodge  Attached FileFire in the Pryors  Attached FileDeep Creek Canyon near Townsend  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 6/16/2021 9:38:50 AM EDT
[#16]
No worries. I get it!
In the years I have fought fire I cannot remember any season that had this many large fires this early in the summer. |
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Posted: 6/16/2021 1:03:17 PM EDT
[#17]
If the one that crashed is the DNRC out of Helena, then I have some time on that one as well, back in the mid-80's. Grew up with Mark's (pilot) son and all. Ages ago. I have been watching that fire close as that area my family has hunted since the 70's.
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Posted: 6/16/2021 2:06:00 PM EDT
[#18]
Might have ridden that one a well. I remember riding a Huey on a state fire in the pintlers back in the 80's.
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Posted: 6/16/2021 9:47:55 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It got real today. The fire south of red lodge got up and moved. Reports of structures burned. New fire reported on top of the pryors. 2000+ acres. One over in the Big Horn. One on the rez. They crashed a state helicopter 98M up by Helena. All the crew members made it out. I have been on that ship numerous times. Well, was gonna head into the Beartooths for a week on Friday. Supposed to go in at Lake Fork trailhead. Looks like I'll be going elsewhere. |
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Posted: 6/17/2021 4:57:00 PM EDT
[#20]
Just recalled when I was a firefighter on the Beaverhead NF, we were called "The Asbestos Forest" due to the lack of significant fires. That was until the siege of 1988.
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Posted: 6/17/2021 7:57:58 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Just recalled when I was a firefighter on the Beaverhead NF, we were called "The Asbestos Forest" due to the lack of significant fires. That was until the siege of 1988. Same with the pryors. It has not burned in years. |
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Posted: 6/22/2021 4:43:54 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks, I’m tired. Waiting to get this IAP approved so I can spent the next 1.5 hours making copies. Fire by Red Lodge https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/5970033C-2A35-4FF3-AA17-23188D357555_jpe-1980054.JPG Fire in the Pryors https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/C45080A1-9094-4915-B9EC-A0195D593E58_jpe-1980055.JPG Deep Creek Canyon near Townsend https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/976A3D4B-AAC4-4176-8D49-F5634A182135_jpe-1980057.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/6B62D104-4D5D-4048-9658-D4317D4E5B4B_jpe-1980058.JPG Thanks for sharing those. |
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Posted: 6/23/2021 9:31:25 PM EDT
[#23]
Is (was) the DNRC chopper a white Huey? Saw a couple of them all summer long, last year. We flew in from Denver on Friday. I saw the fire that was over in the Pryors, but the Red Lodge fire had the Beartooth front obscured by smoke, so I couldn't really see it from the air.
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Posted: 6/23/2021 9:31:41 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks for sharing those. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Thanks, I’m tired. Waiting to get this IAP approved so I can spent the next 1.5 hours making copies. Fire by Red Lodge https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/5970033C-2A35-4FF3-AA17-23188D357555_jpe-1980054.JPG Fire in the Pryors https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/C45080A1-9094-4915-B9EC-A0195D593E58_jpe-1980055.JPG Deep Creek Canyon near Townsend https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/976A3D4B-AAC4-4176-8D49-F5634A182135_jpe-1980057.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/96670/6B62D104-4D5D-4048-9658-D4317D4E5B4B_jpe-1980058.JPG Thanks for sharing those. X2 Thank you |
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Posted: 6/23/2021 10:32:44 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Is (was) the DNRC chopper a white Huey? Saw a couple of them all summer long, last year. We flew in from Denver on Friday. I saw the fire that was over in the Pryors, but the Red Lodge fire had the Beartooth front obscured by smoke, so I couldn't really see it from the air. Yes. They have a few hueys. 88m, 95m, 98m and maybe 1 more. I can't recall. |
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Posted: 6/23/2021 11:13:47 PM EDT
[#26]
Yesterday we went to a Planning Level 4 (out of 5) nationally. Region 3 (the SW) is in PL5. IIRC, we have only gone into PL4 nationally in June three or four other times.
Having been through the Deep Creek Canyon fire a few times this week it is shocking to see that the riparian areas fully consumed all the vegetation. Willow thickets have been reduced to nothing but 4” stumps. These are areas that we knew had low fuel moistures but to see them reduced to nothing but ash in June is extremely alarming. The fires around Red Lodge saw large crown fires on East and North facing slopes at 7,000’+ elevation. We are in for a hell of a ride. Next week is forecasted to have 100* temps around here. Prepare accordingly. |
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Posted: 6/24/2021 10:27:10 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yesterday we went to a Planning Level 4 (out of 5) nationally. Region 3 (the SW) is in PL5. IIRC, we have only gone into PL4 nationally in June three or four other times. Having been through the Deep Creek Canyon fire a few times this week it is shocking to see that the riparian areas fully consumed all the vegetation. Willow thickets have been reduced to nothing but 4” stumps. These are areas that we knew had low fuel moistures but to see them reduced to nothing but ash in June is extremely alarming. The fires around Red Lodge saw large crown fires on East and North facing slopes at 7,000’+ elevation. We are in for a hell of a ride. Next week is forecasted to have 100* temps around here. Prepare accordingly. We have barely hit 90 so far in the Flathead and I saw that 99 is in our forecast for next week. |
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Posted: 6/24/2021 10:47:24 AM EDT
[#28]
Yellowstone Co just went into stg 2 restrictions.
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Posted: 6/24/2021 1:12:42 PM EDT
[#29]
Would send some of our rain if I could.
After being very dry after break-up we are now having rain almost every day. With how dry Montana is now reminds me of 88 and some other dry years.
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Posted: 6/25/2021 11:55:18 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: With how dry Montana is now reminds me of 88 and some other dry years. Oh man. Don't say that! Helena is even more populated. Yellowstone is finally looking nice again. A repeat of that kind of thing would be absolutely awful. 
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Posted: 6/25/2021 12:29:48 PM EDT
[#31]
I see where a good portion of Custer-Gallatin NF is going to State 1 restrictions today. I expect more will come along soon too.
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Posted: 6/25/2021 9:39:49 PM EDT
[#32]
From the NWS Predictive Services,
“Fire potential will be increasing over the next week to ten days as fuels dryness and fire danger will once again be increasing overall. Although there are still some areas that are in green-up with a cover of green fine fuels, the underlying surface fuels from last year are plentiful and dry. Weather conditions that are expected will facilitate curing very quickly. Heavier fuel classes are well above average across all of the Northern Rockies and extreme to historically dry in most due to abnormal dryness and long-term drought. Following the multi-day lightning activity, we can expect to see holdover fires as conditions warm and dry with more sun. This weekend will begin a prolonged very hot period that will peak next week with record high temperatures (some all-time records in Idaho and western Montana), and very dry conditions underneath a historically strong and unseasonable ridge of high pressure, particularly west of the Continental Divide. This will bring longer, nearly continuous burning periods due to poor overnight humidity recoveries, especially on ridges and mid-slopes as subsidence inversions set up. As the ridge remains in place with hot, dry, and unstable conditions continuing through next week, high-based monsoonal thunderstorms could begin to emerge as early as next Wednesday night or Thursday and become a daily focus for new ignitions and erratic winds.” I’m usually not one to predict doom and gloom. My usual answer to the question of, “What do you think we’re in for this summer?” is “ I’ll tell you in September.” But this year is different and not in a good way. I hope I’m wrong. |
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Posted: 7/8/2021 5:51:43 PM EDT
[#33]
I'm near Billings and it's dry as could be here. I'm with a local, volunteer unit north of Billings and we have been getting dispatched everywhere on the Eastern side of the state. We've been in Red Lodge, Roundup, around Billings, and few other area's. I'm trying to stay positive that we will get some rain though
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Posted: 7/8/2021 8:48:28 PM EDT
[#34]
7 fires currently in southern half of my county, in the neighboring departments area. North side of the Missouri River Breaks.
Hard to sit here doing nothing but there's no one else around to cover my area and their now empty firehall. Probably go relieve some members at some point. Worst part about now is tons of little storms with a SLIGHT drizzle and tons of lightning. |
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Posted: 7/9/2021 12:22:20 AM EDT
[#35]
Southerly winds brought noticeable smoke up from the southern Bitterroot to the north end and Missoula from the Dixie Fire southeast of Grangeville, ID.
Winds shifted by mid-day to the west and broke that up and cleared things, although a smoke column can be seen stretching across from the ID side. Also, a cluster of small fires in the Superior/St. Regis & Plains/T-Falls areas. |
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Posted: 7/9/2021 10:30:32 PM EDT
[#36]
On the western fire in the bulls. Transitioning to a type 2 team tomorrow then who knows where to?
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Posted: 7/9/2021 11:34:00 PM EDT
[#37]
Trying to send some much needed rain to you dry L48's.
Our puddles have puddles currently. Waiting for word if any of my cousins and aunts land has burned yet with the Delphia/Musselshel fires. |
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Posted: 7/11/2021 1:09:22 AM EDT
[#38]
Persistent haze to various density levels all day in the Bitterroot & Missoula. Much more noticeable and thicker in the southern half of the valley, again due to the Dixie fire.
Worse in the morning due to the inversion with gradual lifing/thining after mid-day. Mountains ranging from just outlines to making out some forest/opening changes but can't make out individual trees like when clear. Red Flag with higher winds with a dry front coming through on Sunday. |
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Posted: 7/11/2021 2:45:03 AM EDT
[#39]
It was quite hazy in the Flathead this afternoon and evening from the fires south and west of us.
I can usually see the peaks of Glacier from my living room some 50 miles away. Today I could barely see the ridge ~4 miles away. |
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Posted: 7/11/2021 9:54:10 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It was quite hazy in the Flathead this afternoon and evening from the fires south and west of us. I can usually see the peaks of Glacier from my living room some 50 miles away. Today I could barely see the ridge ~4 miles away. Yep. It got worse as the day went along. My family and I hiked up to Hornet Lookout and you can barely see any of the distant peaks in our pics. |
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Posted: 7/11/2021 1:13:39 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yep. It got worse as the day went along. My family and I hiked up to Hornet Lookout and you can barely see any of the distant peaks in our pics. It's better as of this morning but still pretty hazy. Looks like the wind shifted some overnight. This is all new to me as my family has been here a total of 7 days and a wakeup. 
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:35:07 AM EDT
[#42]
Super smoked in here in Billings.
A buddy went back up to the Peterson fire on a county taskforce. They are on short loan as the fire blew up and the team needed resources. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 10:26:13 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It's better as of this morning but still pretty hazy. Looks like the wind shifted some overnight. This is all new to me as my family has been here a total of 7 days and a wakeup. This weekend was definitely smoky and I thought a fire popped up near us at first, but I couldn't find anything.. Most of the fires haven't really affected our area yet this season. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 11:13:15 AM EDT
[#44]
This is from a couple summers ago, but shows how bad smoke can get in the Flathead.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 12:52:33 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is from a couple summers ago, but shows how bad smoke can get in the Flathead. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/3446/Smoke-2011057.jpg It was fairly smoky last September when we visited. Not that bad, but easy to see how it can happen. |
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Posted: 7/13/2021 1:02:44 AM EDT
[#46]
On the Balsinger Fire south of Monarch. It moved 1.25 miles downhill/side slope with light winds in one hour yesterday. This will take out Thunder Mountain at a minimum. Today it spotted into the Tenderfoot as well. We do not have a box. Extremely limited resources available. We’re purely moving people and cattle out of the way as well as doing structure assessments.
If you,or anyone you know, have a place along the Highway 89 corridor between Niehart and Monarch I’d suggest you make some time in the very near future to button things up. Grrrr, limited service won’t let me post pix. |
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Posted: 7/13/2021 1:05:31 AM EDT
[#47]
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Posted: 7/13/2021 1:45:56 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: On the Balsinger Fire south of Monarch. It moved 1.25 miles downhill/side slope with light winds in one hour yesterday. This will take out Thunder Mountain at a minimum. Today it spotted into the Tenderfoot as well. We do not have a box. Extremely limited resources available. We're purely moving people and cattle out of the way as well as doing structure assessments. If you,or anyone you know, have a place along the Highway 89 corridor between Niehart and Monarch I'd suggest you make some time in the very near future to button things up. Grrrr, limited service won't let me post pix. Know people that have places over there. Family cabin is near Kings Hill on the White Sulpher Springs side. |
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Posted: 7/13/2021 4:16:42 PM EDT
[#49]
Anyone know if the Trail Creek fire is on both sides of the 43?
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Posted: 7/13/2021 4:29:38 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Anyone know if the Trail Creek fire is on both sides of the 43? Here’s a real handy site that will give you pretty good up to date satellite heat signatures across the nation. https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/#/%3F/%3F/46.9437/-110.8708/13 |
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