Montana Red Flag Warnings

If you’re unclear on what a red flag warning is, it means that fire danger is imminent.  Almost anything could spark a blaze that could cause serious damage to countless acres of wilderness and residential zones.   For the past few months, Montana has been under red flag warnings, and for good reason.  This has been one of the most hazardous fire seasons in recent memory for many Montanans.  The Pony, Ash Creek, Bear Trap, Dahl and Corral Fires gained national attention a month ago, due to the amount of destruction they caused.  To learn more about those fires, check out our article on them.  Luckily all those fires have been contained, but only to make room for a series of new fires.

The Montana fires have not all been caused by people; in fact, a majority were caused by natural forces.  Several of these fires have been started by the beautiful thunder and lightning storms that tear across the horizon during late summer afternoons in Montana.  It’s common to see these storms almost every night this time of year.  The unfortunate side of these spectacular light shows is the relatively low amount of moisture they provide along with the immense power delivered by the lightning strikes.  It’s called “dry lightning,” and coupled with weeks of >90 degree heat and high winds, it is a fire-starting force to be reckoned with.  Firefighters and volunteers tirelessly work to keep our smoldering state from igniting into an uncontrollable blaze, but nature often proves too strong an opponent.

New fires, like the Chalky Creek, Rosebud Creek, Elbow Pass, and Sarpy Hills Fire are producing a hazy atmosphere, choking out the view of the Big Sky.  For those who are looking for more information, The Helena Independent Record published an excellent article on these fires, and their effects on the land they're devouring.  There are thousands of people fighting the blazes, but it’s an uphill battle.  If the weather keeps up as it has been lately, the haze won’t be gone until the snow falls.  If there is a silver lining in all of this, particulate matter in the haze surrounding the Gallatin Valley is uniquely diffusing sunlight, which has produced some pretty epic sunsets.