This summer, parts of the West that are unaccustomed
to drought and wildfire have been experiencing both.
Here in Montana, wildfires are a natural force in
shaping the landscape. Living near the
east slopes of the Rocky Mountains—caught in dry rain shadow—I expect to
experience a “fire season.” As I watch
the occasional lightning storm prowl through the mountains, stabbing jagged
daggers into the forests, I always wonder how many fiery beasts have been
released with claw and flame to begin tearing down the forests.
Montana has been fairly fortunate so this summer. Wildfires are presently raging in Glacier
National Park. Late last month, the
Cabin Gulch Fire near Townsend tore through about 1,600 acres of grassland and
scattered timber before firefighters and a turn in the weather dragged the
beast to a stop. Though the potential
has been present, we have not seen anything near that wildfire devastation
experienced in the year 2000 or 2003.
Yesterday, however, a forest fire flourished to life
in the Sucker Creek drainage of the Upper Blackfoot Valley. By mid-afternoon a billowing arm of smoke was
reaching over the mountains near Helena.
The fire is only about ten miles from my cabin, but is presently pushing
in the opposite direction.
After finishing up my last appointment for the day at
about 3:00 in the afternoon, I drove home to grab that girl. Together, we drove to the top of Flesher Pass
so we could see exactly where the fire was burning. Posted is a photo I took from the top of
Flesher Pass.
Hoping for the best.
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