Is our unusual winter already causing an unusual fire season?
High winds, dry conditions, and unseasonably warm March temperatures are driving early-season wildfires in Gallatin County.
With red-flag warnings, open burning bans, and notices of high fire risks cropping up on social media, it can be difficult to discern if fire season has come early to the Valley.
Jake Zlomie, the Central Valley Fire District fire marshal, said early-season fires like the Central Park fire outside Belgrade last week are not unusual.
“Typically, we get some fires here and there before everything greens up,” Zlomie said. “Once we get some of that initial spring moisture, we don’t typically have as many until it starts drying out later on in late June, July.”
The Central Park Fire, which reportedly was started by a passing BNSF train just west of Heeb Road, crossed Frontage Road in strong winds and jumped the Gallatin River along Central Park Road on Friday.
Firefighters blocked traffic at the junctions of Thorpe Road and Frontage Road, Central Park Road and Dry Creek Road, and Frontage Road east of Manhattan.
April, May and June are traditionally Montana’s three wettest months, Cody Moldan, lead forecaster at the Great Falls National Weather Service, said.
“We’re moving into the wet season, so there’s certainly time to make up on snowpack as we move into the summer,” Moldan said.
According to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montana’s mountain snowpack is below normal levels, with basins reporting reporting 60% to 95% of the median snow water equivalent.
“Everyone’s a little unsure of what to expect. The more we can do now, the better the summer will be for everyone,” Zlomie said.
To prepare for fire season, Zlomie said the Central Valley Fire District is focusing on learning from every fire they respond to and establishing water sources for fighting fires.
“We prepare for a pretty busy season, and it’s always easier for us to ramp up the resources and be prepared for the absolute worst and then free up those resources down the road if we don’t have to use them,” Zlomie said.
Like most local fire departments, Central Valley relies on volunteers to keep its operation running.
“We have several career firefighters, but it’s hard to find volunteers. We’re in a constant recruitment cycle of finding folks who want to volunteer and preparing them through training,” Zlomie said.
As the season ramps up, Zlomie said local fire departments rely on each other to monitor and respond to calls.
“The fire service overall has a pretty big, strong community that makes it easier whether we’re talking to firefighters in Manhattan or Bozeman or the Hyalite Fire District,” he said. “Everyone is eager to go to work and get to know one another.”
Zlomie encourages community members to report any fires to 9-1-1 and to check for open burn bans and fire risk levels at gallatinburnpermits.com.
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