Lightning

More thunderstorms are predicted.

Expect some wet weather.

Crews are trying to get the fires out as soon as possible.

Response to all the fires is total suppression - in other words, put 'em out.

Wildfire experts are saying the upcoming fire season will be ‘above normal’, meaning more than 300,000 acres burned, due to hotter, drier conditions through September.

More strong thunderstorms headed toward northwest Montana

The National Weather Service has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms in west central Montana and northern Idaho.

This flight was rough before it even left the ground.

City and county emergency services are prepared for possible thunderstorms and high winds which are forecast to hit western Montana Friday evening. As rain starts to dribble down the KGVO window, the National Weather Service is already predicting damaging winds and isolated thunderstorms.

Firefighters have responded to and extinguished over 30 wildfires in the Bitterroot National Forest this summer, but 18 new wildfires were started by lightning this week and all but four are currently contained.

Fire Information Officer for Lolo National Forest Boyd Hartwig told KGVO News that a new fire was spotted Thursday afternoon on the Missoula Ranger District.

Wildfire crews responded to several small fires along Interstate 90 near the Idaho state line Friday night after a lightning storm.