Mountain snow predicted, but fire restrictions remain in place

The weather forecast is calling for rain and cooler temperatures for northwest Montana, but fire restrictions will likely remain in place for the immediate future.

“We are asking the public to be patient just a little while longer,” said Ali Ulwelling, fire information officer for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said in a release Thursday. “Many people have been affected by wildfires this summer, and we will wait to lift Fire Restrictions until fuel conditions reflect that it is appropriate. Fuel conditions have been tracking at historically dry levels, and even breaking records. Fire danger will remain extreme until northwest Montana receives a generous amount of moisture over several days.”

Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect for much of northwest Montana.

The National Weather Service in Missoula is predicting a dramatic change in whether occurring late Thursday through Friday. The predicted high for Whitefish on Friday is 53 degrees Fahrenheit and the forecast is calling for a 50 percent chance of rain before noon.

Much needed precipitation is likely for much of the region with snow levels expected to drop to 5,000 feet, especially near the Continental Divide, according to the weather service, but Saturday into Sunday conditions appear to be more moderate.

The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is calling for sun with highs in the mid-50s to mid-60s. However, a frost/freeze threat is possible Sunday morning with a low of around 31 degrees for Whitefish predicted for Saturday night into Sunday.

Fire officials, during a weekly fire restrictions conference call, agreed to remain at Stage II restrictions “until a few days of substantial moisture is received,” according to Ulwelling

Those partners include, the Kootenai and Flathead National forests; Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; Glacier National Park; Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders counties; Weyerhaeuser, Stoltze, and Stimson Lumber companies.

“We know how anxious people are to get back to work, camping, and hunting in the woods this fall,” Ulwelling said. “Hopefully we’ll get a few days of soaking rain across the greater area, and, with any luck, that it will happen soon.”

For more information about the current status of Fire Restrictions, go to www.firerestrictions.us.