Some Montana wildfires don’t go out until they burn out. Or until the fire experiences a “season-ending weather event.” In the northern Rocky Mountains, this has been defined as 1/2 inch of rain over a 3-day period.
Crown Mountain fire, Oct. 2021
(Montana Historical Society, 1939)
The state of Montana’s most important database might be the Department of Natural and Resources’ catalogue of more than 336,000 claims to water. Especially during times like the parched summer and fall of 2021, it
The warmest June and July on record. Nearly 2,300 wildfires, burning nearly 1 percent of the state landmass. Lowest hay yield since 1935 and the worst barley yield since 1900. Record-low water reservoirs. One-third fewer cattle roaming on parched rangeland.
The summer drought of 2021 was memorably miserable, echoing past droughts
Most Montana cities have rescinded water restrictions, after mid-month rains provided relief for their water treatment plants. As part of their general oversight duties, the Water Policy Interim Committee is tracking how cities and towns are coping with the state’s deep drought.
Four of Montana’s seven major cities instituted water restrictions
Montana’s drought–and likely its wildfires–are expected to worsen, state officials told members of the Water Policy Interim Committee recently.
WPIC began its 2021-22 interim on July 14-15, adopting a work plan that includes studies of water quality standards for selenium in Lake Koocanusa and erosion in the lower Flathead
