A Swan Valley environmental group has found more evidence that Forest Service road closures are often ineffective, and the resulting illegal road use threatens Montana’s fish and wildlife.
The lightning-caused Ridge Fire along the Hungry Horse Reservoir is burning in a portion of the Coram Experimental Forest and the Coram Research Natural Area, both of which have been set aside for researchers to study western larch regeneration and management.
A wildfire west of Olney expanded its footprint Friday as authorities warned nearby residents to leave the area as critical weather conditions threatened to further fan the flames.
Northwest Montana’s wildfire activity is expected to moderate over the next seven days with wetting rain and below normal temperatures increasingly likely beginning Friday evening.