Rain dampens wildfire forecast in many areas

HELENA (AP) — Heavy rains east of the Continental Divide have dampened predictions for an early and active fire season in Montana, although the southwestern area of the state could face problems during late summer, the governor was told Monday.

The forecast came as Gov. Steve Bullock kicked off wildfire awareness week with a briefing from more than a dozen state and federal land managers and fire experts.

Bullock noted that half of all wildfires are caused by people.

Activities around the state during the next week will highlight better ways to prevent such fires and the threat posed to popular recreation sites.

"It is up to each and every one of us to do our part to make sure Montana is protected from wildfire," the governor said.

Heavy rains in late May that were 600 percent above normal in parts of eastern Montana reduced concerns about the sort of fire season that could strike that part of the state, said meteorologist Bryan Henry of the Northern Rockies Coordination Center.

However, the wet spring weather is only one of the factors used in gauging fire season. Others are snowpack and the time it melts, July temperatures, summer lightning storm activity, and the moisture content of potential fuels.

Experts are predicting that July through September will be drier and warmer than normal, which could intensify a drought.

Henry said the center is predicting that a portion of southwestern Montana stretching northeast to Helena faces fire dangers similar to Idaho and other parts of the West. He said experts are including the Helena area because of the large supply of trees killed by pine beetles.

"At some point in some season that beetle kill will hurt us," Henry said.

The governor was also told that federal wildfire fighting agencies will see a small drop in available resources due to the automatic federal budget cuts. The Montana National Guard said it has lost some forces to active duty deployment, which could diminish its ability to assist with firefighting efforts.

The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise has predicted above-normal potential for significant fire activity in California, Oregon, southern Washington and much of central Idaho by July.

The agency said that potential will include parts of Montana by August.