Western Montana’s fires have been once again been getting doused with heavy rain, with this latest round of storms expected to formally end Montana’s volatile 2017 fire season.
The fire camp at the Rice Ridge fire near Seeley Lake was pounded with heavy rain on Monday as crews moved to protect equipment and supplies. And on the fire lines, crews were recovering hoses and sprinklers before freezing weather moves in.
The good news is, the cooler and wetter conditions of the past week have been a godsend for the weary fire crews.
Not only is the fire hazard easing, but even at Rice Ridge, firefighters are claiming over 60% of the 160,000 acre fire perimeter has been contained. At the 53,800 acres Lolo Peak fire, managers were reporting that the containment perimeter is closer to 70%.