Montana News Roundup: Thousands of Lightning Strikes Spark Fires

Thousands of lightning strikes test the responsiveness of Montana firefighters over the weekend, and so far, the news is good.

It's been a weekend of chasing fires for crews, with Montana DNRC reporting 16 new fire starts across the state through the 24-hour period ending Sunday evening, and 42 active blazes across the state.

Almost all of those new fires are related to lightning strikes from a series of thunderstorms that moved across parts of the state Saturday afternoon and evening, with the Bitterroot Valley seeing 10 new fires alone from a vigorous storm that also brought high winds and more than 500 lightning strikes.

     🔥 The Bitterroot National Forest says all of those new fires are small, and half are already under control.

Updating the major fires

Firefighters are holding the Observation Point south of Hamilton at 105 acres with 25% containment. The Ravalli County Sheriff lifted evacuation orders over the weekend, but evacuation warnings remain in place.

Last week's Deer Fire east of Missoula is nearly contained at 75 acres. And the Rock Pile Fire west of Fort Belknap has burned 133 acres.

Of course, the concern is always for "holdover" lightning strikes, so authorities will be watching closely for the next couple of weeks. Additionally, more thunderstorms are in the forecast all week long.

West Glacier plane crash investigated

Authorities are working to identify the two people who were killed when their small plane crashed and burned at West Glacier over the weekend.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office received the initial report that a plane had gone off the runway at Ryan Field on Saturday morning. Responders found the plane full engulfed in fire when they arrived.

     The cause of the crash is being investigated by the NTSB.

Money coming for Montana schools

State Superintendent of Instruction Susie Hedalen said she had remained confident that critical federal funding for Montana schools would be forthcoming from Washington. Even so, educators are breathing easier with Friday's announcement that the Trump Administration would release billions of dollars worth of K-12 money, some $26-million for Montana schools. Hedalen recognizes the money comes close to district budget deadlines, but is promising to work closely with schools to plan and implement the funds.

Is Montana leaving cattle behind?

We're fine now, but our grandchildren in Montana may be asking "where's the beef" if this trend continues, as Abby Casey explains.