VIDEO: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) says the unusually early fire season has been rough, with new fires often a daily occurrence.
According to the Northern Rockies Coordination Center (NRCC), there have been more than 1,600 wildland fires reported in Montana this year that have burned well over 219,000 acres as of August 2, numbers that continue to grow every day.
Battling wildland fires is not an inexpensive endeavor. Air tankers, dozers and boots on the ground all cost money.