2019 fire season transitions to prescribed burning

The 2019 fire season has come to a close. There were 142 wildfires suppressed in west central Montana. In our communities, 2019 will be remembered as a welcome respite from wildfire smoke. Wildfire conditions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington were much like ours, so smoke wasn't drifting in from the west as it has in recent years. Even though there was a typical number of wildfire starts, live fuel moistures were high most of the summer due to intermittent wetting rains. Live fuel moistures in the high country was a key factor in keeping wildfires small, facilitating success at initial attack.

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