Montana News Roundup: Fast Attack Keeps Missoula Fire Manageable

Although weekend winds brought some challenges, fire crews have had a successful run against the Deer Fire, a new blaze that started east of Missoula Friday night.

Authorities are unsure what started the fire, which is burning in steep, rugged terrain that is easily visible from the Missoula Valley, but has posed no direct threat to homes and property. Although there have been no evacuation orders, the Forest Service did close some roads and trails in the immediate vicinity.

However, because the fire is burning not far away from population, the attack on the blaze remains aggressive, the VLATs, or Very Large Tankers, and helicopters involved in the aerial attack, with 5 crews on the ground.

Cooler weather helps with fire starts

The latest push of cooler, and for some areas, wet weather, is welcome as we continue to see new fire starts. Montana DNRC reports 9 new fire starts by Sunday evening, but none were over 20 acres, with 42 active fires. In addition to the Deer Fire, the Onekilo fire southwest of Havre in Choteau County has burned 100 acres. And there were several small fire starts near Crow Agency.

Billings sees measles

Yellowstone County is the latest to report a measles case. Yellowstone County Health reports it is tracking a case with an unvaccinated child at a vacation bible camp last week. The family is doing home quarantine, while health officials follow up on contacts.

      Vaccinations can be arranged through Riverstone Health.

More travel delays on this stretch of I-90

It's already been a busy summer for construction over Bozeman Pass, and there's more disruption for drivers this week, as crews will begin chip-sealing work on I-90, starting today.

The Montana Department of Transportation says the work is weather permitting, but they warn drivers to be ready for single lane closures from the summit to Livingston, with work scheduled between 7 am and 7 pm. That means flaggers, reduced speeds, and lane restrictions of 16 feet for trucks with wide loads.

The work is part of a big project this summer to improve the freeway over the pass, with some removal of asphalt, rehabilitation of bridges, and the installation of new signs and other features.

      Crews have also done work to reduce the risk of rockfall in the canyon.

Better water for Whitehall

A year after construction started, Whitehall's new water treatment plant is coming online. Governor Gianforte noted the work with $2-million from the state for the project. It solves a problem first diagnosed in 2014, when tests found that high levels of uranium were in the town's drinking water.

     The $8-million upgrade solves that problem.