Fire Danger Grows Rapidly

Montana is battling two incredibly dangerous wildfires at the moment. The Colt fire, located around 15 miles outside of the beautiful town of Seeley Swan, has grown to burn close to 4,400 acres. There are evacuation orders and other emergency measures in place. The large fire was caused by a lightning strike in dense, but dry timber. The high 80 to low 90 degree temperatures have drawn out most of the moisture that was so potent in the month of June. The fire being so close to the small town is causing major concerns in residents, as the fire is yet to come close to contained. The other major inferno in Montana is the Bowles Creek fire. This fire, in contrast to the Colt fire, is burning in a more remote area that is miles east of Hamilton. The cause of the blaze is the same culprit as the Colt fire: lightning. The Bowles Creek fire has burned near 2000 acres and has yet to be contained at all. The wind gusts of 5-25 miles per hour are not a helpful factor for firefighters. Meagher County is not exempt from the Montana fire danger. With recent thunderstorms with lightning, yet little rain, it is important to stay alert and look for signs of smoke following the storms. It is also encouraged that those who are camping use campfires responsibly and make sure that they are 100% out before leaving them unattended. Meagher County has several camp sites offered at various locations. Some sites are equipped with built in fire pits, while others call for the temporary residents to build them. Camp fires should be built only in a clear spot with no flammable debris surrounding the area. The blaze should be contained in a campfire pit that is at least one foot deep. Lining the pit with rocks or some sort of non flammable material to prevent the fire spreading is also crucial. White Sulphur Springs has already dealt with one fire emergency in the past week: the fire near Dade Creek, which was caused by haying equipment and was contained speedily. The Meagher County Fire Department is well equipped to handle small fires, but it is easy for flames to become uncontrollable quickly in July’s hot, windy, and dry conditions.