>> THE FOLLOWING IS A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF MTN, THE MONTANA
PRESENTATION OF MTN, THE MONTANA TELEVISION NETWORK.
TELEVISION NETWORK. >> WILDFIRE.
>> WILDFIRE. MOTHER NATURE'S FURY.
MOTHER NATURE'S FURY. >> WE'RE EXPERIENCING EXTREME
>> WE'RE EXPERIENCING EXTREME CONDITIONS.
CONDITIONS. >> CREATING A STORM OF FLAMES.
>> CREATING A STORM OF FLAMES. >> IT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT,
>> IT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, PRETTY FASCINATING.
PRETTY FASCINATING. >> MONTANA IN THE MIDST.
>> MONTANA IN THE MIDST. >> THE FIRE IS THIS WHOLE BACK
>> THE FIRE IS THIS WHOLE BACK AREA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
AREA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TREELINE, YOU CAN'T SEE.
TREELINE, YOU CAN'T SEE. IT'S FREAKY.
IT'S FREAKY. >> THIS SUMMER, BLAZES ACROSS
>> THIS SUMMER, BLAZES ACROSS BIG SKY COUNTRY SENT RESIDENTS
BIG SKY COUNTRY SENT RESIDENTS FLEEING.
FLEEING. >> AM I GOING TO SEE MY HOUSE
>> AM I GOING TO SEE MY HOUSE AGAIN?
AGAIN? >> I REALLY HAVE NO PLACE ELSE
>> I REALLY HAVE NO PLACE ELSE TO GO.
TO GO. THIS IS OUR HOME.
THIS IS OUR HOME. >> STRAINED THE STATE'S
>> STRAINED THE STATE'S RESOURCES.
RESOURCES. >> WE HAVE SORTAGES OF FOOD,
>> WE HAVE SORTAGES OF FOOD, ENGINES, AIRCRAFT.
ENGINES, AIRCRAFT. >> CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO
>> CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO FIREFIGHTING HEROES.
FIREFIGHTING HEROES. >> IT'S BEEN REALLY ROUGH FOR
>> IT'S BEEN REALLY ROUGH FOR EVERYONE.
EVERYONE. >> WE'RE LEFT TO PUT OUT THE
>> WE'RE LEFT TO PUT OUT THE FINAL EMBERS OF THE SEASON SOME
FINAL EMBERS OF THE SEASON SOME DESCRIBED AS APOCALYPTIC.
DESCRIBED AS APOCALYPTIC. >> IF THEY CAN'T GET THE
>> IF THEY CAN'T GET THE HELICOPTERS OUT HERE THEY CAN'T
HELICOPTERS OUT HERE THEY CAN'T GET IT UNDER CONTROL.
GET IT UNDER CONTROL. >> REGROUP.
>> REGROUP. >> I'M IMPRESSED MY MONTANA.
>> I'M IMPRESSED MY MONTANA. >> AS NEIGHBORS AND MONTANANS.
>> AS NEIGHBORS AND MONTANANS. >> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR,
>> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR, ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. >> TONIGHT, THE MONTANA
>> TONIGHT, THE MONTANA TELEVISION NETWORK LOOKS BACK AT
TELEVISION NETWORK LOOKS BACK AT THESE FIRES FROM ONE CORNER OF
THESE FIRES FROM ONE CORNER OF THE STATE TO THE NEXT.
THE STATE TO THE NEXT. FROM EAST TO WEST.
FROM EAST TO WEST. AND ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN.
AND ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN. AND RALLIES SUPPORT FOR THOSE
AND RALLIES SUPPORT FOR THOSE AFFECTED AS WE ALL MOVE FORWARD
AFFECTED AS WE ALL MOVE FORWARD WITH MONTANA WILDFIRE RELIEF.
WITH MONTANA WILDFIRE RELIEF. >> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR
>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS MTN SPECIAL
JOINING US FOR THIS MTN SPECIAL PRESENTATION, I'M DUSTIN
PRESENTATION, I'M DUSTIN KLIEMAN.
KLIEMAN. THE WILDFIRES OF 2017 HAD AN
THE WILDFIRES OF 2017 HAD AN IMPACT ON OUR PEOPLE AND LAND
IMPACT ON OUR PEOPLE AND LAND FOR MONTHS.
FOR MONTHS. STILL COMING WITH STORIES THAT
STILL COMING WITH STORIES THAT SHAPED OUR NEWS FOR MONTHS.
SHAPED OUR NEWS FOR MONTHS. WE ASK YOUR HELP.
WE ASK YOUR HELP. INTO THE MTN MONTANA WILDFIRE
INTO THE MTN MONTANA WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND.
RELIEF FUND. THE 2017 WILDFIRE SEASON HAS
THE 2017 WILDFIRE SEASON HAS BURNED MORE THAN ONE MILLION
BURNED MORE THAN ONE MILLION ACRES ACROSS MONTANA AND HAS
ACRES ACROSS MONTANA AND HAS TAKEN LIVES, HOMES, AND AT TIMES
TAKEN LIVES, HOMES, AND AT TIMES SENT THOUSANDS FLEEING.
SENT THOUSANDS FLEEING. MTN MONTANA WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND
MTN MONTANA WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND IS AN EFFORT TO HELP THOSE
IS AN EFFORT TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED MOST, AS A PARTNERSHIP
IMPACTED MOST, AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MTN AND THE MONTANA
BETWEEN MTN AND THE MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. WE'RE INTRODUCED TO THE MONTANA
WE'RE INTRODUCED TO THE MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND SEVERAL
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND SEVERAL OTHERS GENEROUS DONORS WHO HAVE
OTHERS GENEROUS DONORS WHO HAVE SHOWN SUPPORT.
SHOWN SUPPORT. >> THE MONTANA COMMUNITY
>> THE MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS BEEN FUNDRAISING
FOUNDATION HAS BEEN FUNDRAISING FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.
FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS. RJSES THE VOLUME HAS -- THE
RJSES THE VOLUME HAS -- THE VOLUME HAS FAR EXCEEDED WHAT I
VOLUME HAS FAR EXCEEDED WHAT I ANTICIPATED.
ANTICIPATED. >> MARY RUTHERFORD, CHIEF
>> MARY RUTHERFORD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SAYS THE OVERWHELMING
EXECUTIVE, SAYS THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE WILDFIRE RELIEF
SUPPORT FOR THE WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND IS INCREDIBLE.
FUND IS INCREDIBLE. >> SHOCKING AND SURPRISING.
>> SHOCKING AND SURPRISING. YOU KNOW, WE'VE RECEIVED
YOU KNOW, WE'VE RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND
DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE STATE OF
BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE STATE OF MONTANA.
MONTANA. EVERY CORNER COVERED.
EVERY CORNER COVERED. >> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE
>> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUND IN A
CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUND IN A THICK STACK OF THANK YOU NOTES
THICK STACK OF THANK YOU NOTES SITS READY TO BE MAILED TO
SITS READY TO BE MAILED TO DONORS.
DONORS. AMONG THE RECIPIENTS, EVERYDAY
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS, EVERYDAY CITIZENS AND BIG NAMES,
CITIZENS AND BIG NAMES, INCLUDING A $50,000 MATCH FROM
INCLUDING A $50,000 MATCH FROM MTN'S PARENT COMPANY AND ANOTHER
MTN'S PARENT COMPANY AND ANOTHER $50,000 MATCH FROM THE MOUNTAIN
$50,000 MATCH FROM THE MOUNTAIN SKY GUEST RANCH FUND.
SKY GUEST RANCH FUND. >> THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO LISTEN
>> THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO LISTEN TO THE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY
TO THE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE CRITICAL.
THAT ARE CRITICAL. >> THE MONTANA COMPANY FROM
>> THE MONTANA COMPANY FROM WHITEFISH DONATE THE $25,000.
WHITEFISH DONATE THE $25,000. >> WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
>> WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THE MONEY WE DONATED STAYED
WE THE MONEY WE DONATED STAYED WITHIN MONTANA.
WITHIN MONTANA. >> REAL ESTATE IN BOZEMAN IS
>> REAL ESTATE IN BOZEMAN IS WATCHING $10,000, A COMMUNITY
WATCHING $10,000, A COMMUNITY EFFORT THAT'S PAYING OFF.
EFFORT THAT'S PAYING OFF. >> THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE
>> THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE MOVED ENOUGH TO MAKE A
MOVED ENOUGH TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, TO HELP THEIR
CONTRIBUTION, TO HELP THEIR FELLOW MONTANANS MAKES A
FELLOW MONTANANS MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
DIFFERENCE. >> JACOB FUERER, MTN NEWS.
>> JACOB FUERER, MTN NEWS. >> ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING
>> ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING WILDFIRE SEASONS ON RECORD.
WILDFIRE SEASONS ON RECORD. IT WASN'T PREDICTED COMPLETELY.
IT WASN'T PREDICTED COMPLETELY. ED McINTOSH EXPLAINS WHAT
ED McINTOSH EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE WEATHER,
HAPPENED WITH THE WEATHER, IMPACTING THE FIRES IN 2017.
IMPACTING THE FIRES IN 2017. >> YOU'RE RIGHT.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. AS WE GOT INTO THE SEASON THINGS
AS WE GOT INTO THE SEASON THINGS LOOKED PRETTY GOOD.
LOOKED PRETTY GOOD. DECENT SNOWPACK FROM THE WINTER
DECENT SNOWPACK FROM THE WINTER MONTHS, EARLY IN THE SUMMER
MONTHS, EARLY IN THE SUMMER LOOKED LIKE THINGS WOULD BE
LOOKED LIKE THINGS WOULD BE GOOD.
GOOD. UNTIL WE STARTED WATCHING WHAT
UNTIL WE STARTED WATCHING WHAT WAS HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY IN
WAS HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEASTERN MONTANA.
NORTHEASTERN MONTANA. IT WAS PRETTY EVIDENT EARLY IN
IT WAS PRETTY EVIDENT EARLY IN THE YEAR THAT VERY DRY
THE YEAR THAT VERY DRY CONDITIONS WOULD HAMMER CROPS
CONDITIONS WOULD HAMMER CROPS AND AFFECT THE GRAZING LANDS OF
AND AFFECT THE GRAZING LANDS OF NORTHEASTERN MONTANA IN
NORTHEASTERN MONTANA IN PARTICULAR.
PARTICULAR. AS THE MONTHS SPREAD, WE
AS THE MONTHS SPREAD, WE CONTINUED TO WATCH THE DRIER
CONTINUED TO WATCH THE DRIER CONDITIONS MOVE ACROSS THE
CONDITIONS MOVE ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION.
ENTIRE REGION. BY THE TIME WE START GETTING
BY THE TIME WE START GETTING INTO THE LATE SUMMER, ALL OF
INTO THE LATE SUMMER, ALL OF MONTANA AND MOST OF NORTHERN
MONTANA AND MOST OF NORTHERN WYOMING WERE LISTED FROM DRY TO
WYOMING WERE LISTED FROM DRY TO XWEPGSAL DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
XWEPGSAL DROUGHT CONDITIONS. CONTINUED TO WATCH THAT, MAY
CONTINUED TO WATCH THAT, MAY STILL BE THE STORY AS WE GET
STILL BE THE STORY AS WE GET INTO THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.
INTO THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. WHAT HAPPENED?
WHAT HAPPENED? FIRST OFF IT'S NORMAL THIS TIME
FIRST OFF IT'S NORMAL THIS TIME OF YEAR TO HAVE A HIGH PRESSURE
OF YEAR TO HAVE A HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BUILD IN DURING THE SUM
RIDGE BUILD IN DURING THE SUM MORES THAT WILL INFECT US WITH
MORES THAT WILL INFECT US WITH WARM, DRY CONDITIONS.
WARM, DRY CONDITIONS. BUT THIS YEAR, WE WATCHED THAT
BUT THIS YEAR, WE WATCHED THAT RIDGE REALLY BUILD IN AND A
RIDGE REALLY BUILD IN AND A BLOCKING HIGH DEFLECTED THE
BLOCKING HIGH DEFLECTED THE USUAL RAIN SHOWERS AWAY FROM US
USUAL RAIN SHOWERS AWAY FROM US AND KEPT US EXCEPTIONALLY DRY
AND KEPT US EXCEPTIONALLY DRY THROUGH THE SUM MORES.
THROUGH THE SUM MORES. AT THE SAME TIME HUMIDITY WAS
AT THE SAME TIME HUMIDITY WAS EXCEPTIONALLY LOW.
EXCEPTIONALLY LOW. WE WERE LOOKING AT RELATIVE
WE WERE LOOKING AT RELATIVE HUMIDITY NUMBERS ONLY INTO THE
HUMIDITY NUMBERS ONLY INTO THE TENSE AND SINGLE DIGITS.
TENSE AND SINGLE DIGITS. THANKS TO THE DRY AIR, NOT ONLY
THANKS TO THE DRY AIR, NOT ONLY A LACK OF RAINFALL BUT JUST
A LACK OF RAINFALL BUT JUST WATER VAPOR AND UPPER SOIL
WATER VAPOR AND UPPER SOIL MOISTURE, SUB SOIL MOISTURE, WAS
MOISTURE, SUB SOIL MOISTURE, WAS VERY LOW.
VERY LOW. SO AS WE GOT INTO THE EVENING
SO AS WE GOT INTO THE EVENING HOURS WITH THE WARM TEMPERATURES
HOURS WITH THE WARM TEMPERATURES WE NEVER SAW THE HUMIDITY DROP
WE NEVER SAW THE HUMIDITY DROP TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD
TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD ACTUALLY GET FIREFIGHTERS ON TOP
ACTUALLY GET FIREFIGHTERS ON TOP OF THE FIRE SITUATION.
OF THE FIRE SITUATION. SO WE HAD TEMPERATURES, WE HAD
SO WE HAD TEMPERATURES, WE HAD LOW HUMIDITY NUMBERS, AND IN
LOW HUMIDITY NUMBERS, AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WIND ACROSS
ADDITION TO THAT, WIND ACROSS THE PLAINS ALSO AED A LOT TO THE
THE PLAINS ALSO AED A LOT TO THE WILDFIRES AS WELL.
WILDFIRES AS WELL. NOT ONLY DID IT DRY THINGS OUT
NOT ONLY DID IT DRY THINGS OUT AND ADD OXYGEN TO THE FUEL, IT
AND ADD OXYGEN TO THE FUEL, IT ALSO TOOK A LOT OF THOSE EMBERS
ALSO TOOK A LOT OF THOSE EMBERS AND WOULD SPREAD THEM OUT AND
AND WOULD SPREAD THEM OUT AND JUMP FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER
JUMP FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER AND START ADDITIONAL WILDFIRES
AND START ADDITIONAL WILDFIRES AS THEY MOVED ACROSS THE REGION.
AS THEY MOVED ACROSS THE REGION. THE STORY NOW IS WHAT'S IN STORE
THE STORY NOW IS WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE WINTER MONTHS.
FOR THE WINTER MONTHS. TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IN A FEW
TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.
MINUTES. >> THANK YOU, ED.
>> THANK YOU, ED. WITH THE HELP OF THE MONTANA
WITH THE HELP OF THE MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND HUNDREDS OF DONORS WROE
HUNDREDS OF DONORS WROE SURPASSED OUR INITIAL GOAL OF
SURPASSED OUR INITIAL GOAL OF $50,000.
$50,000. MTN'S PARENT COMPANY GENEROUSLY
MTN'S PARENT COMPANY GENEROUSLY MATCHED THE FIRST $50,000 AND
MATCHED THE FIRST $50,000 AND MANY OTHERS ARE HELPING.
MANY OTHERS ARE HELPING. THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO.
THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO. HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP. >> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO
>> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO BURN.
BURN. I SURE HOPE IT DON'T, BUT IT'S
I SURE HOPE IT DON'T, BUT IT'S COMING.
COMING. >> IF YOU WERE NEAR MY HOUSE
>> IF YOU WERE NEAR MY HOUSE WHEN IT BURNED DOWN.
WHEN IT BURNED DOWN. >> OVER THERE, YOU CAN SEE IT,
>> OVER THERE, YOU CAN SEE IT, IN THE DARK.
IN THE DARK. CAN YOU REALLY SEE THE FLAMES.
CAN YOU REALLY SEE THE FLAMES. >> BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS
>> BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW
COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW BAD.
BAD. >> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING OF
>> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING OF THE OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT
THE OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT WHICH HELPED US.
WHICH HELPED US. >> BLOWING LIKE THAT.
>> BLOWING LIKE THAT. LOOKING FOR AN OUTLET.
LOOKING FOR AN OUTLET. >> IRREPLACEABLE.
>> IRREPLACEABLE. MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT
MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID LOSE.
YOU DID LOSE. >> PROBABLY WITHIN A MATTER OF
>> PROBABLY WITHIN A MATTER OF HALF AN HOUR.
HALF AN HOUR. IT WAS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT,
IT WAS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION.
PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION. >> I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT
>> I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT THEY SAVED MY HOUSE AND SAVED MY
THEY SAVED MY HOUSE AND SAVED MY FRIEND' HOUSES.
FRIEND' HOUSES. >> YOUR APPRECIATION IS
>> YOUR APPRECIATION IS HEART-FELT.
HEART-FELT. >> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR.
>> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR. >> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
>> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. >> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER
>> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER OUT, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.
OUT, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED. ¶
¶ >> PART OF THE STATE WAS HIT
>> PART OF THE STATE WAS HIT HARDER THIS SUMMER THAN WESTERN
HARDER THIS SUMMER THAN WESTERN MONTANA.
MONTANA. THE FIRES THERE TOOK LIVES AND
THE FIRES THERE TOOK LIVES AND PROPERTY FROM THE IDAHO STATE
PROPERTY FROM THE IDAHO STATE LINE TO THE CANADIAN BORDER.
LINE TO THE CANADIAN BORDER. JILL VALLEY AND DENNIS MORE.
JILL VALLEY AND DENNIS MORE. >> THE SUMMER MOST OF US BILL
>> THE SUMMER MOST OF US BILL NOT FORGET.
NOT FORGET. DOZENS OF WILDFIRES ACROSS
DOZENS OF WILDFIRES ACROSS WESTERN MONTANA, BURNING FOR
WESTERN MONTANA, BURNING FOR MONTHS THAT AT TIMES FELT LIKE
MONTHS THAT AT TIMES FELT LIKE THEY WERE NEVER GOING TO END
THEY WERE NEVER GOING TO END MPGT THE FIRES CLAIMED THE LIVES
MPGT THE FIRES CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO FIREFIGHTERS.
OF TWO FIREFIGHTERS. THE SMOKE PUT A CHOKE HOLD ON
THE SMOKE PUT A CHOKE HOLD ON COMMUNITIES.
COMMUNITIES. IT HURT XHOUL TOWNS THAT THRIVE
IT HURT XHOUL TOWNS THAT THRIVE ON SUMMER BUSINESS.
ON SUMMER BUSINESS. DESTROYED ONE OF GLACIER PARK'S
DESTROYED ONE OF GLACIER PARK'S ICONIC CHALET.
ICONIC CHALET. >> IT'S EASY TO ADD WHAT YOU WE
>> IT'S EASY TO ADD WHAT YOU WE LOST.
LOST. TREES AND RANGE LAND, HOPES,
TREES AND RANGE LAND, HOPES, CLEAN AIR.
CLEAN AIR. FIRE TOOK THAT AWAY AND THEN
FIRE TOOK THAT AWAY AND THEN SOME.
SOME. LET'S NOT FORGET WHAT WAS REALLY
LET'S NOT FORGET WHAT WAS REALLY LOST.
LOST. TWO FIREFIGHTERS WHO PAID THE
TWO FIREFIGHTERS WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE TO KEEP US SAFE.
ULTIMATE PRICE TO KEEP US SAFE. ONE SO YOUNG WORKING ON JUST THE
ONE SO YOUNG WORKING ON JUST THE SECOND WILDFIRE OF HIS CAREER.
SECOND WILDFIRE OF HIS CAREER. THE OH THEY ARE AN ELITE HOT
THE OH THEY ARE AN ELITE HOT SHOT WITH A FAMILY LEG A ANY OF
SHOT WITH A FAMILY LEG A ANY OF FIREFIGHTING.
FIREFIGHTING. BOTH DIED IN MONTANA KILLED BY
BOTH DIED IN MONTANA KILLED BY FALLING TREES WHILE FIGHTING
FALLING TREES WHILE FIGHTING FIRE.
FIRE. 19-YEAR-OLD TRENTON JOHNSON
19-YEAR-OLD TRENTON JOHNSON RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM HELLGATE
RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM HELLGATE HIGH SCHOOL IN MISSOULA.
HIGH SCHOOL IN MISSOULA. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE STATE
HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE STATE CHAMPION LACROSSE TEAM.
CHAMPION LACROSSE TEAM. HE ENROLLED AT MONTANA STATE
HE ENROLLED AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY WORKING TOWARDS A
UNIVERSITY WORKING TOWARDS A DEGREE IN ENGINEERING.
DEGREE IN ENGINEERING. YOU HAD TO BE ON YOUR TOES TO
YOU HAD TO BE ON YOUR TOES TO KEEP UP WITH THIS KID.
KEEP UP WITH THIS KID. >> HE HAD AN AWESOME SENSE OF
>> HE HAD AN AWESOME SENSE OF HUMOR.
HUMOR. WITTY, HE WAS THREE STEPS AHEAD
WITTY, HE WAS THREE STEPS AHEAD OF THE CONVERSATION.
OF THE CONVERSATION. HE WOULD COME UP WITH SNAPPY,
HE WOULD COME UP WITH SNAPPY, WITTY STATEMENTS.
WITTY STATEMENTS. >> TRENTON FOLLOWED IN HIS BIG
>> TRENTON FOLLOWED IN HIS BIG SISTER'S FOOTSTEPS TO BECOME A
SISTER'S FOOTSTEPS TO BECOME A SUMMER WILD LAND FIREFIGHTER.
SUMMER WILD LAND FIREFIGHTER. HE WAS EXCITED WHEN HE GOT THE
HE WAS EXCITED WHEN HE GOT THE FIRST CALL TO FIGHT A FIRE IN
FIRST CALL TO FIGHT A FIRE IN UTAH.
UTAH. >> HE LIKED TO WORK HARD, BE
>> HE LIKED TO WORK HARD, BE OUTDOORS.
OUTDOORS. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD FIT FOR
IT WAS A REALLY GOOD FIT FOR HIM.
HIM. HE LOVED IT.
HE LOVED IT. HE WAS ON THE BRIAN HEAD FIRE
HE WAS ON THE BRIAN HEAD FIRE FOR TWO WEEKS IN UTAH AND CALLED
FOR TWO WEEKS IN UTAH AND CALLED ME, EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND LET ME
ME, EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND LET ME KNOW HOW HE WAS DOING.
KNOW HOW HE WAS DOING. LIKE WHAT HE WAS DOING.
LIKE WHAT HE WAS DOING. HE ABSOLUTELY LOVED WORKING
HE ABSOLUTELY LOVED WORKING HARD.
HARD. >> THEN ASSIGNED TO A FIRE
>> THEN ASSIGNED TO A FIRE BURNING NEAR SEELEY LAKE.
BURNING NEAR SEELEY LAKE. A SMALL, LIGHTNING-STARTED FIRE
A SMALL, LIGHTNING-STARTED FIRE THAT WOULD BECOME PART OF THE
THAT WOULD BECOME PART OF THE RICE RIDGE FIRE.
RICE RIDGE FIRE. BUT ON JULY 19, SUDDENLY, A TREE
BUT ON JULY 19, SUDDENLY, A TREE FELL AND HIT HIM.
FELL AND HIT HIM. HE DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.
HE DIED AT THE HOSPITAL. >> THE WORDING I HEARD, WAS FAST
>> THE WORDING I HEARD, WAS FAST AS A LIGHTNING BOLT.
AS A LIGHTNING BOLT. HE HEARD A CRACK AND THAT WAS
HE HEARD A CRACK AND THAT WAS IT.
IT. THE THREE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO
THE THREE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND TRENTON
GET OUT OF THE WAY AND TRENTON WASN'T.
WASN'T. >> TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENS
>> TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN.
AGAIN. 29-YEAR-OLD BRENT WITHAM OF
29-YEAR-OLD BRENT WITHAM OF CALIFORNIA DIED AUGUST 2 IN THE
CALIFORNIA DIED AUGUST 2 IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE LOLO PEAK
EARLY DAYS OF THE LOLO PEAK FIRE.
FIRE. A TREE FELL AND HIT HIM WHILE
A TREE FELL AND HIT HIM WHILE WORKING ON A FIRE LINE IN THE
WORKING ON A FIRE LINE IN THE McCLAIN CREEK AREA.
McCLAIN CREEK AREA. [BAB PIPES]
[BAB PIPES] -- BAGPIPES]
-- BAGPIPES] .
. HE'S A MEMBER OF THE VISTA
HE'S A MEMBER OF THE VISTA GRANDE HOT SHOTS STATIONED IN
GRANDE HOT SHOTS STATIONED IN SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA. HE LEFT MONTANA A HERO.
HE LEFT MONTANA A HERO. ¶
¶ HE RETURNED HOME AS ONE TO
HE RETURNED HOME AS ONE TO HUNDREDS OF FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS
HUNDREDS OF FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS WHO PAID THEIR RESPECTS.
WHO PAID THEIR RESPECTS. >> VERY EMOTIONAL TO SEE A
>> VERY EMOTIONAL TO SEE A FALLEN FIRE BROTHER COME OUT OF
FALLEN FIRE BROTHER COME OUT OF THE PLANE, AND FEEL PAIN AS IF
THE PLANE, AND FEEL PAIN AS IF IT WAS MY OWN BROTHER.
IT WAS MY OWN BROTHER. >> MONTANA GOVERNOR STEVE
>> MONTANA GOVERNOR STEVE BULLOCK ORDERED FLAGS IN MONTANA
BULLOCK ORDERED FLAGS IN MONTANA FLOWN HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF
FLOWN HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF TRENTON AND BRENT, AND ALL OTHER
TRENTON AND BRENT, AND ALL OTHER WILD LAND FIREFIGHTERS LOST IN
WILD LAND FIREFIGHTERS LOST IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
THE LINE OF DUTY. MONTANA'S CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
MONTANA'S CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS PRAISED THEIR BRAVERY SAYING
PRAISED THEIR BRAVERY SAYING TRENTON AND BRENT SACRIFICE WILL
TRENTON AND BRENT SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
NOT BE FORGOTTEN. NEITHER WILL THIS FIRE SEASON.
NEITHER WILL THIS FIRE SEASON. IT WAS A TOUGH ONE.
IT WAS A TOUGH ONE. >> WHY DID THIS HAPPEN AGAIN?
>> WHY DID THIS HAPPEN AGAIN? ESPECIALLY SO LOCAL, AND SO
ESPECIALLY SO LOCAL, AND SO CLOSE TO ALL OF US, IS JUST,
CLOSE TO ALL OF US, IS JUST, YEAH, IT'S BEEN A ROUGH SUMMER
YEAH, IT'S BEEN A ROUGH SUMMER FOR FIREFIGHTERS ALL AROUND.
FOR FIREFIGHTERS ALL AROUND. >> WE JUST ASK YOU TO KEEP THE
>> WE JUST ASK YOU TO KEEP THE FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS AND THE
FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS AND THE FELLOW WORKERS.
FELLOW WORKERS. ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE
ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW ON THE LINE.
OUT THERE RIGHT NOW ON THE LINE. >> TRENTON WOULD HAVE TURNED 20
>> TRENTON WOULD HAVE TURNED 20 YEESHS OLD LAST WEEK.
YEESHS OLD LAST WEEK. HIS SISTER TELLS US THE
HIS SISTER TELLS US THE FIREFIGHTING COMMUNITY HAS BEEN
FIREFIGHTING COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THERE FOR HER FAMILY DURING THIS
THERE FOR HER FAMILY DURING THIS TRAGEDY.
TRAGEDY. >> ALTHOUGH THE SEELEY LAKE
>> ALTHOUGH THE SEELEY LAKE COMMUNITY WAS HIT HARDER THAN
COMMUNITY WAS HIT HARDER THAN MOST STRUGGLING THREE WEEKS OF
MOST STRUGGLING THREE WEEKS OF RECORD-BREAKING SMOKE AND HALF
RECORD-BREAKING SMOKE AND HALF THE TOWN EVACUATED, SEELEY LAKE
THE TOWN EVACUATED, SEELEY LAKE RESIDENTS ARE PULLING TOGETHER
RESIDENTS ARE PULLING TOGETHER AND LOOKING FORWARD TO A FUTURE
AND LOOKING FORWARD TO A FUTURE WITHOUT FIRE.
WITHOUT FIRE. ¶
¶ >> SUMMER OF SMOKE AND FIRE
>> SUMMER OF SMOKE AND FIRE SMOTHERS A LUCRATIVE TOURISM
SMOTHERS A LUCRATIVE TOURISM SEASON IN SEELEY LAKE.
SEASON IN SEELEY LAKE. >> NEWS MEDIA DID NOT UNDERSTAND
>> NEWS MEDIA DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT SEELEY LAKE CLOSURE WAS THE
THAT SEELEY LAKE CLOSURE WAS THE LAKE CLOSURE, AND SO PEOPLE
LAKE CLOSURE, AND SO PEOPLE THOUGHT THE WHOLE TOWN WAS
THOUGHT THE WHOLE TOWN WAS CLOSED.
CLOSED. >> LETTING ONNERS THIS KNOW THE
>> LETTING ONNERS THIS KNOW THE TOWN HADN'T BURNED DOWN FROM THE
TOWN HADN'T BURNED DOWN FROM THE RICE RIDGE FIRE WASN'T THE ONLY
RICE RIDGE FIRE WASN'T THE ONLY CHALLENGE.
CHALLENGE. WITH MORE THAN HALF THE TOWN
WITH MORE THAN HALF THE TOWN UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS IT WAS
UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS IT WAS TOUGH STAFFING A BUSINESS.
TOUGH STAFFING A BUSINESS. >> THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A
>> THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A CONFUSION WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO
CONFUSION WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO GO TO WORK AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH
GO TO WORK AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH PEOPLE.
PEOPLE. HOW DID YOU GET PEOPLE TO COME
HOW DID YOU GET PEOPLE TO COME TO WORK, AND COMMUNICATION, AND
TO WORK, AND COMMUNICATION, AND THE WHOLE THING WAS A LITTLE BIT
THE WHOLE THING WAS A LITTLE BIT ON THE CHALLENGING SIDE.
ON THE CHALLENGING SIDE. WHEN NEARLY WE FIGURED,
WHEN NEARLY WE FIGURED, SOMEWHERE AROUND 80% AND 85% OF
SOMEWHERE AROUND 80% AND 85% OF TOWN WERE EVACUATED OR ON
TOWN WERE EVACUATED OR ON EVACUATION NOTICE.
EVACUATION NOTICE. >> THE CLOUDS AND RAIN HAVE
>> THE CLOUDS AND RAIN HAVE REPLACED THE FIRE SMOKE, THIS
REPLACED THE FIRE SMOKE, THIS RESILIENT COMMUNITY IS GETTING
RESILIENT COMMUNITY IS GETTING BACK TO THE BUSINESS AT HAND.
BACK TO THE BUSINESS AT HAND. TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER AND
TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER AND PLANNING FOR FUTURE PROMOTION OF
PLANNING FOR FUTURE PROMOTION OF SEELEY LAKE.
SEELEY LAKE. IN FACT, WORK IS UNDER WAY FOR A
IN FACT, WORK IS UNDER WAY FOR A WEEKEND FUNDRAISER, HELPING THE
WEEKEND FUNDRAISER, HELPING THE FAMILY OF A 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL
FAMILY OF A 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL COPING WITH AN INOPERABLE BRAIN
COPING WITH AN INOPERABLE BRAIN TUMOR.
TUMOR. >> I CALL A PTA STYLE CARNIVAL,
>> I CALL A PTA STYLE CARNIVAL, SCHEDULED FOR LABOR DAY SUNDAY
SCHEDULED FOR LABOR DAY SUNDAY AND OBVIOUSLY WE ALL WENT TO
AND OBVIOUSLY WE ALL WENT TO EVACUATION MODE.
EVACUATION MODE. YOU KWOT HOLD A FUNDRAISER WHEN
YOU KWOT HOLD A FUNDRAISER WHEN THERE'S NOBODY LEFT IN TOWN.
THERE'S NOBODY LEFT IN TOWN. WE POSTPONED IT, WE DID NOT
WE POSTPONED IT, WE DID NOT CANCEL, WE POSTPONED IT.
CANCEL, WE POSTPONED IT. WE'RE GOING TO HOLD IT THIS
WE'RE GOING TO HOLD IT THIS SUNDAY INSTEAD.
SUNDAY INSTEAD. >> THAT'S SO TYPICAL OF SEELEY,
>> THAT'S SO TYPICAL OF SEELEY, ABLE TO FOCUS NOT ON THE
ABLE TO FOCUS NOT ON THE HARDSHIPS BUT ON THE BLESSINGS
HARDSHIPS BUT ON THE BLESSINGS OF LIVING IN THIS LEGENDARY
OF LIVING IN THIS LEGENDARY CORNER OF MONTANA WHERE THE FUN
CORNER OF MONTANA WHERE THE FUN GOES ON FROM SEASON TO SEASON,
GOES ON FROM SEASON TO SEASON, DECADE TO DECADE.
DECADE TO DECADE. BOATING MAY BE WINDING DOWN BUT
BOATING MAY BE WINDING DOWN BUT SKYING AND FREE ICE SKATING ARE
SKYING AND FREE ICE SKATING ARE AROUND THE CORNER.
AROUND THE CORNER. THE TRICK IS REMINDING THE REST
THE TRICK IS REMINDING THE REST OF MONTANA.
OF MONTANA. >> THAT IS TRUE.
>> THAT IS TRUE. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS GOING
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS GOING TO HUNKER DOWN AND SEE WHAT THEY
TO HUNKER DOWN AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO MAKE IT A VERY
CAN DO TO MAKE IT A VERY SUCCESSFUL WINTER.
SUCCESSFUL WINTER. >> SEELEY LAKE, DENNIS BRAGG,
>> SEELEY LAKE, DENNIS BRAGG, MTN NEWS.
MTN NEWS. ¶
¶ ¶
¶ >> I'M NICOLE MILLER, IN GLACIER
>> I'M NICOLE MILLER, IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK.
NATIONAL PARK. >> THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT YOU
>> THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT YOU SEE, IN THE FRONT OF THE CHALET.
SEE, IN THE FRONT OF THE CHALET. >> THEY SAY EVERY PICTURE IS
>> THEY SAY EVERY PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. >> WE TRY TO GO EVERY YEAR, IT'S
>> WE TRY TO GO EVERY YEAR, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET A NIGHT.
DIFFICULT TO GET A NIGHT. FIVE WEEKS AGO WE HAD TWO NIGHTS
FIVE WEEKS AGO WE HAD TWO NIGHTS SCHEDULED.
SCHEDULED. >> TWO NIGHTS THAT THE LANDSCAPE
>> TWO NIGHTS THAT THE LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER HAD NO WAY OF
PHOTOGRAPHER HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING WOULD BE HIS LAST ONES.
KNOWING WOULD BE HIS LAST ONES. >> I'VE BEEN THERE PROBABLY 5 TO
>> I'VE BEEN THERE PROBABLY 5 TO 7 TIMES.
7 TIMES. >> SINCE 2004 HE HAS BEEN
>> SINCE 2004 HE HAS BEEN CAPTURING THE PARK.
CAPTURING THE PARK. HE SAID THIS YEAR THE RICH,
HE SAID THIS YEAR THE RICH, BLOOMING GRASS CAPTURED HIM.
BLOOMING GRASS CAPTURED HIM. >> THIS YEAR WAS A VERY UNIQUE,
>> THIS YEAR WAS A VERY UNIQUE, THE RICHNESS OF THE BEAR GRASS
THE RICHNESS OF THE BEAR GRASS WAS REALLY UNIMAGINABLE.
WAS REALLY UNIMAGINABLE. >> HE SPENT HOURS SHOOTING THE
>> HE SPENT HOURS SHOOTING THE RUSTIC LODGE FROM EVERY ANGLE
RUSTIC LODGE FROM EVERY ANGLE ENSHROUDED IN BEAR GRASS
ENSHROUDED IN BEAR GRASS CAPTURING THIS PHOTO NOT KNOWING
CAPTURING THIS PHOTO NOT KNOWING WEEKS LATER THE HISTORIC
WEEKS LATER THE HISTORIC LANDMARK AND ARCHITECTURAL
LANDMARK AND ARCHITECTURAL CHALET WOULD BURN IN THE SPRAGUE
CHALET WOULD BURN IN THE SPRAGUE FIRE.
FIRE. >> A STRONG WESTERLY WIND THAT
>> A STRONG WESTERLY WIND THAT GAVE THE FIRE ENOUGH OXYGEN AND
GAVE THE FIRE ENOUGH OXYGEN AND PUSHED IT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE
PUSHED IT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER.
MANNER. THERE WAS NO WAY OF STOPPING
THERE WAS NO WAY OF STOPPING THAT FIRE.
THAT FIRE. IT RUN UP THROUGH THAT DRAINAGE,
IT RUN UP THROUGH THAT DRAINAGE, THE SPERRY DRAINAGE, AND OF
THE SPERRY DRAINAGE, AND OF COURSE THE EMBER SHOWERS AND
COURSE THE EMBER SHOWERS AND EVERYTHING THAT CAME FROM IN A
EVERYTHING THAT CAME FROM IN A COMPROMISED THE CHALET.
COMPROMISED THE CHALET. >> AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
>> AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE DISASTER WAS LAUNCHED
INTO THE DISASTER WAS LAUNCHED BY INTERIOR SECRETARY SEAN CAN I
BY INTERIOR SECRETARY SEAN CAN I WHO ANNOUNCED -- ZIENKE, WHO
WHO ANNOUNCED -- ZIENKE, WHO ANNOUNCED REBUILDING THE CHALET
ANNOUNCED REBUILDING THE CHALET AS ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES.
AS ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES. THE MOMENT HE CAPTURED THIS
THE MOMENT HE CAPTURED THIS PHOTO IS HOW BUDA REMEMBERS THE
PHOTO IS HOW BUDA REMEMBERS THE LAST TIME HE SAW THE SPERRY
LAST TIME HE SAW THE SPERRY CHALET.
CHALET. >> I SPENT TWO HOURS WALKING
>> I SPENT TWO HOURS WALKING AROUND DIFFERENT SPOTS, TAKING
AROUND DIFFERENT SPOTS, TAKING DIFFERENT SHOTS OF THE CHALET.
DIFFERENT SHOTS OF THE CHALET. JUST IN CASE, EVER, WE NEED
JUST IN CASE, EVER, WE NEED THEM.
THEM. I MEAN, JUST HOW ODD IT IS.
I MEAN, JUST HOW ODD IT IS. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE, I WOULD
IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE, I WOULD ALMOST GO DIVINE, IT WAS MEANT
ALMOST GO DIVINE, IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
TO BE. >> REPORTING FROM DELAYSIER
>> REPORTING FROM DELAYSIER NATIONAL PARK, NICOLE MILLER,
NATIONAL PARK, NICOLE MILLER, MTN NEWS.
MTN NEWS. -- FROM GLACIER.
-- FROM GLACIER. >> I'M JOSH EUSTICE OF THE
>> I'M JOSH EUSTICE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER. BEFORE I WAS AN NBA PLAYER I WAS
BEFORE I WAS AN NBA PLAYER I WAS A MONTANAN, AND STILL PROUD TO
A MONTANAN, AND STILL PROUD TO CALL MONTANA HOME.
CALL MONTANA HOME. DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES, US
DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES, US MONTANANS NEED TO STICK TOGETHER
MONTANANS NEED TO STICK TOGETHER AND HELP EACH OTHER.
AND HELP EACH OTHER. I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT MTN'S
I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT MTN'S WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND, IN SUPPORT
WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND, IN SUPPORT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO
OF THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO SACRIFICED AND LAST SO MUCH
SACRIFICED AND LAST SO MUCH DURING THE TRAGIC FIRE SEASON.
DURING THE TRAGIC FIRE SEASON. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. ¶
¶ >> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO
>> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO BURN.
BURN. IT'S COMING.
IT'S COMING. >> IF YOU WEREN'T THERE MY HOUSE
>> IF YOU WEREN'T THERE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN.
WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN. >> YOU COULD REALLY SEE THE
>> YOU COULD REALLY SEE THE FLAMES IN THE DARK.
FLAMES IN THE DARK. ¶
¶ BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS
BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW
COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST.
FAST. >> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING
>> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT
OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT WHEN HELPED US.
WHEN HELPED US. >> BLOWING LIKE YESTERDAY, THIS
>> BLOWING LIKE YESTERDAY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED OUT RIGHT
WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED OUT RIGHT NOW.
NOW. >> HOW DO YOU REPLACE IT.
>> HOW DO YOU REPLACE IT. MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT
MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID LOSE.
YOU DID LOSE. >> PROBABLY WITHIN A MATTER OF
>> PROBABLY WITHIN A MATTER OF HALF AN HOUR, IT WAS PRETTY
HALF AN HOUR, IT WAS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, PRETTY FAST-MOVING
SIGNIFICANT, PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION.
SITUATION. >> I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT
>> I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT YOU WERE HERE TO SAVE MY HOUSE.
YOU WERE HERE TO SAVE MY HOUSE. AND TO SAVE MY FRIENDS' HOUSES
AND TO SAVE MY FRIENDS' HOUSES OVER HERE.
OVER HERE. >> WELL, YOUR APPRECIATION IS
>> WELL, YOUR APPRECIATION IS VERY HEART-FELT.
VERY HEART-FELT. J NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR,
J NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR, ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY.
HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY. >> HELP EACH OTHER OUT.
>> HELP EACH OTHER OUT. I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.BEEN THAT .
I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.BEEN THAT . HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY.
HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY. >> HELP EACH OTHER OUT.
>> HELP EACH OTHER OUT. I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.
I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED. ¶
THE MONTANA FIRE
>> MONTANA FIRE SEASON KICK STARTED BY A RANGE LAND FIRE
STARTED BY A RANGE LAND FIRE THAT ROARED OUT OF CONTROL IN
THAT ROARED OUT OF CONTROL IN EAST-CENTRAL MONTANA ON JULY 19.
EAST-CENTRAL MONTANA ON JULY 19. JEANELLE SLADE AND JAY KOHN
JEANELLE SLADE AND JAY KOHN REPORT FROM BILLINGS ON
REPORT FROM BILLINGS ON MONTANA'S LARGEST WILDFIRE OF
MONTANA'S LARGEST WILDFIRE OF THE YEAR.
THE YEAR. ¶
¶ >> THE LODGE COMPLEX TOOK
>> THE LODGE COMPLEX TOOK THROUGH GRASSLAND FUELED BY
THROUGH GRASSLAND FUELED BY GUSTY WIND BEFORE BROUGHT UNDER
GUSTY WIND BEFORE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL OVER 270,000 ACRES HAD
CONTROL OVER 270,000 ACRES HAD BURNED, 16 HOMES DESTROYED.
BURNED, 16 HOMES DESTROYED. >> THE FIRE WOULD CONSUME
>> THE FIRE WOULD CONSUME VALUABLE PASTURE LAND, FENCING
VALUABLE PASTURE LAND, FENCING AND HAYSTACKS.
AND HAYSTACKS. POWER WAS LOST TO HUNDREDS OF
POWER WAS LOST TO HUNDREDS OF HURL ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS.
HURL ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS. THIS IS OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE
THIS IS OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE CHARRED LANDSCAPE.ELECTRIC CUST.
CHARRED LANDSCAPE.ELECTRIC CUST. THIS IS OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE
THIS IS OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE CHARRED LANDSCAPE.
CHARRED LANDSCAPE. >> LARGE SWATHS OF LAND AND
>> LARGE SWATHS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS TORCHED BY THE TWO
BUILDINGS TORCHED BY THE TWO LARGE FIRES THAT MAKE UP THE
LARGE FIRES THAT MAKE UP THE LODGE POLE COMPLEX.
LODGE POLE COMPLEX. >> THE WIND HAS BEEN A MAJOR
>> THE WIND HAS BEEN A MAJOR FACTOR WITH THIS FIRE.
FACTOR WITH THIS FIRE. IT'S PUSHED IT EVERY DIRECTION
IT'S PUSHED IT EVERY DIRECTION SO FAR.
SO FAR. >> SOUTH OF THE FIRE ACTIVITY,
>> SOUTH OF THE FIRE ACTIVITY, CATTLE COULD BE SEEN ALONG
CATTLE COULD BE SEEN ALONG HIGHWAY 200 AS BARRIERS WERE
HIGHWAY 200 AS BARRIERS WERE BROKEN AND BURNED A SIGNIFICANT
BROKEN AND BURNED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CATTLE FEED WAS
AMOUNT OF CATTLE FEED WAS DESTROYED.
DESTROYED. IT'S UNKNOWN HOW MANY CATTLE
IT'S UNKNOWN HOW MANY CATTLE WERE KILLED BUT MANY RANCHERS
WERE KILLED BUT MANY RANCHERS DON'T KNOW THE LOCATION OF THEIR
DON'T KNOW THE LOCATION OF THEIR CATTLE.
CATTLE. CREWS WORKED ON REPAIRS OF POWER
CREWS WORKED ON REPAIRS OF POWER POLES ON MONDAY.
POLES ON MONDAY. MORE PERSONNEL ARRIVED ON SCENE
MORE PERSONNEL ARRIVED ON SCENE FROM 34 STATES INCLUDING HOT
FROM 34 STATES INCLUDING HOT SHOT CREWS TO HIT THE FRONT
SHOT CREWS TO HIT THE FRONT LINES.
LINES. >> THE BIG PART OF THIS HAS BEEN
>> THE BIG PART OF THIS HAS BEEN THE HELP OF THE LOCALS WHO HAVE
THE HELP OF THE LOCALS WHO HAVE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN
PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BATTLING THIS BLAZE.
BATTLING THIS BLAZE. >> WE HAVE EXTRAORDINARY INITIAL
>> WE HAVE EXTRAORDINARY INITIAL ATTACK CAPABILITIES.
ATTACK CAPABILITIES. THIS FIRE STARTED AS 11 FIRES
THIS FIRE STARTED AS 11 FIRES AND THEY CAUGHT MOST OF THEM.
AND THEY CAUGHT MOST OF THEM. AND A LOT OF THAT WAS WITH LOCAL
AND A LOT OF THAT WAS WITH LOCAL RESOURCES.
RESOURCES. SO JUST THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH
SO JUST THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER OUT, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED
OTHER OUT, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED BY MONTANA.
BY MONTANA. >> WITH AGGRESSIVE FIRE BEHAVIOR
>> WITH AGGRESSIVE FIRE BEHAVIOR OFFICIALS WERE OPTIMISTIC THE
OFFICIALS WERE OPTIMISTIC THE WEATHER COULD HOLD THROUGHOUT
WEATHER COULD HOLD THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
THE DAY. OVERNIGHT COULD BE A DIFFERENT
OVERNIGHT COULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY.
STORY. >> IT WAS SOON EVIDENT THE FIRE
>> IT WAS SOON EVIDENT THE FIRE WAS GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT
WAS GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE FARM AND RANCH
ON THE FARM AND RANCH INDUSTRIES.
INDUSTRIES. >> RUSSELL NIMITZ AND PAUL
>> RUSSELL NIMITZ AND PAUL HUMPHREY WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE
HUMPHREY WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE THE LONG ROAD AHEAD FOR ONE
THE LONG ROAD AHEAD FOR ONE RANCHER.
RANCHER. >> NO HUMIDITY, 100-PLUS DEGREE
>> NO HUMIDITY, 100-PLUS DEGREE HEAT, AND JUST STEADY WINDS.
HEAT, AND JUST STEADY WINDS. AND WITH THE EXTREME DROUGHT
AND WITH THE EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS IT WAS, IT WAS JUST,
CONDITIONS IT WAS, IT WAS JUST, YOU KNOW, A ROUGH TIME FOR AN --
YOU KNOW, A ROUGH TIME FOR AN -- RECIPE FOR UNCONTROLLED
RECIPE FOR UNCONTROLLED DISASTER.
DISASTER. >> EVEN THOUGH THE FLAMES ARE
>> EVEN THOUGH THE FLAMES ARE OUT, LIKE OTHERS JORDAN RANCHER
OUT, LIKE OTHERS JORDAN RANCHER BRETT DAILY FACES THE DAUNTING
BRETT DAILY FACES THE DAUNTING TASK OF PUTTING HIS RANCH BACK
TASK OF PUTTING HIS RANCH BACK TOGETHER AFTER THE FIRE BURNED
TOGETHER AFTER THE FIRE BURNED MILES AND MILES OF FENCE LINE
MILES AND MILES OF FENCE LINE AND ALSO DISPLACED THOUSANDS OF
AND ALSO DISPLACED THOUSANDS OF CATTLE THROUGHOUT GARFIELD AND
CATTLE THROUGHOUT GARFIELD AND PETROLEUM COUNTIES.
PETROLEUM COUNTIES. >> DISPLACING THE CATTLE WOULD
>> DISPLACING THE CATTLE WOULD BE SOMEWHERE DIRECTLY AFFECTED
BE SOMEWHERE DIRECTLY AFFECTED ENCOMPASSING THIS FIRE AREA,
ENCOMPASSING THIS FIRE AREA, AROUND THAT 7,500 TO RIGHT CLOSE
AROUND THAT 7,500 TO RIGHT CLOSE TO 10,000 HEAD.
TO 10,000 HEAD. >> THE OTHER MAIN PRIORITY NOW,
>> THE OTHER MAIN PRIORITY NOW, IS REBUILDING ALL OF THAT FENCE
IS REBUILDING ALL OF THAT FENCE THAT WAS LOST IN THE FIRE.
THAT WAS LOST IN THE FIRE. >> THERE'S COUPLE HUNDRED
>> THERE'S COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRES BEHIND ME.
THOUSAND ACRES BEHIND ME. AND YOU CAN GET THAT 90% OF THE
AND YOU CAN GET THAT 90% OF THE FENCE IS BURNED SDPLUP AS
FENCE IS BURNED SDPLUP AS NEIGHBORS CONTINUE TO HELP
NEIGHBORS CONTINUE TO HELP NEIGHBORS RECOVER, THE
NEIGHBORS RECOVER, THE GENEROSITY FROM OTHER PEOPLE
GENEROSITY FROM OTHER PEOPLE BOTH NEAR AND FAR IS ALSO
BOTH NEAR AND FAR IS ALSO NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.
NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING. >> GENEROSITY IS UNBELIEVABLE,
>> GENEROSITY IS UNBELIEVABLE, WITH PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP OUT
WITH PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP OUT WITH THIS FIRE.
WITH THIS FIRE. RANCHERS AWAY FROM HERE AND
RANCHERS AWAY FROM HERE AND CONCERNED PEOPLE FROM THE LAND,
CONCERNED PEOPLE FROM THE LAND, KNEW THOSE CATTLE WOULD NEED
KNEW THOSE CATTLE WOULD NEED FEED, THERE WAS TRUCKS LOADED
FEED, THERE WAS TRUCKS LOADED WITH HAY HEADED THIS WAY, MOST
WITH HAY HEADED THIS WAY, MOST EVERYBODY WAS STILL OUT STOMPING
EVERYBODY WAS STILL OUT STOMPING ON FIRE ON THE FIRE LINES.
ON FIRE ON THE FIRE LINES. >> AND EVEN THROUGH A HUGE
>> AND EVEN THROUGH A HUGE NATURAL DISASTER LIKE THIS, THE
NATURAL DISASTER LIKE THIS, THE OPTIMISTIC NATURE OF THOSE
OPTIMISTIC NATURE OF THOSE INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE
INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE CONTINUES TO SHINE THROUGH ALL
CONTINUES TO SHINE THROUGH ALL THE ASHES.
THE ASHES. >> MOTHER NATURE WILL BE GOOD TO
>> MOTHER NATURE WILL BE GOOD TO US AGAIN.
US AGAIN. AND THIS COUNTRY WILL GREEN UP
AND THIS COUNTRY WILL GREEN UP AND LOOK GREAT AGAIN.
AND LOOK GREAT AGAIN. >> THE LODGE POLE FIRE BURNED
>> THE LODGE POLE FIRE BURNED FOR WEEKS.
FOR WEEKS. RANCHERS HAD TO SCRAMBLE TO GET
RANCHERS HAD TO SCRAMBLE TO GET THEIR HERDS FED AND BACK
THEIR HERDS FED AND BACK TOGETHER.
TOGETHER. >> THEY NEEDED MILES OF FENCE
>> THEY NEEDED MILES OF FENCE REPAIRED.
REPAIRED. WHEN THE CALL WENT OUT FOR HELP
WHEN THE CALL WENT OUT FOR HELP MONTANANS ANSWERED.
MONTANANS ANSWERED. DAVID JAY SPENT A DAY ON THE
DAVID JAY SPENT A DAY ON THE FENCE LINE IF GARFIELD COUNTY.
FENCE LINE IF GARFIELD COUNTY. >> VOLUNTEERS REPLACED BURNED,
>> VOLUNTEERS REPLACED BURNED, DAMAGED, A DESTROYED FENCING FOR
DAMAGED, A DESTROYED FENCING FOR PETERSONS NEAR MOSBY IN FAR HAVE
PETERSONS NEAR MOSBY IN FAR HAVE GAR FIELD COUNTY.
GAR FIELD COUNTY. >> IT IS AMAZING, THEY COME FROM
>> IT IS AMAZING, THEY COME FROM EVERYWHERE.
EVERYWHERE. AND JUST TO HELP US OUT.
AND JUST TO HELP US OUT. SO IT'S A GREAT THING.
SO IT'S A GREAT THING. >> THE PETERSONS HAVE A LOT OF
>> THE PETERSONS HAVE A LOT OF FENCING TO REPLACE ON THE
FENCING TO REPLACE ON THE EXTIERIOR OF THEIR PROPERTY.
EXTIERIOR OF THEIR PROPERTY. >> I'M 76 YEARS OLD, LAST
>> I'M 76 YEARS OLD, LAST FEBRUARY, AND I TOLD MY WIFE I
FEBRUARY, AND I TOLD MY WIFE I WOULD PROBABLY NEVER SEE THIS
WOULD PROBABLY NEVER SEE THIS PLACE FENCED IN WHAT'S LEFT OF
PLACE FENCED IN WHAT'S LEFT OF MY LIFE.
MY LIFE. NOW, MAYBE I WILL.
NOW, MAYBE I WILL. >> THE FIRE BURNED MORE THAN
>> THE FIRE BURNED MORE THAN 270,000 ACRES AND CAME CLOSE TO
270,000 ACRES AND CAME CLOSE TO THE PETERSON'S HOME.
THE PETERSON'S HOME. THE FIRE DESTROYED LARRY'S
THE FIRE DESTROYED LARRY'S CHILDHOOD HOME.
CHILDHOOD HOME. >> THE FIRE WAS OVERWHELMING.
>> THE FIRE WAS OVERWHELMING. NEVER SEEN SUCH A FIRE BEFORE.
NEVER SEEN SUCH A FIRE BEFORE. >> ABOUT 22 MILES OF FENCING TO
>> ABOUT 22 MILES OF FENCING TO REPLACE.
REPLACE. SOME OF IT THAT GOT BURNED IS
SOME OF IT THAT GOT BURNED IS SIMILAR TO, THIS THE ORIGINAL
SIMILAR TO, THIS THE ORIGINAL CEDAR PUT IN BY LARRY'S FAMILY.
CEDAR PUT IN BY LARRY'S FAMILY. >> THIS WAS THE SAD PART FOR HIM
>> THIS WAS THE SAD PART FOR HIM TO SEE, BECAUSE HIS GRANDFATHER
TO SEE, BECAUSE HIS GRANDFATHER AND UNCLE AND HIS DAD AND
AND UNCLE AND HIS DAD AND HIMSELF THEY PUT UP MOST OF
HIMSELF THEY PUT UP MOST OF THESE FENCES.
THESE FENCES. >> THE BREAKFAST FLAKES WITH THE
>> THE BREAKFAST FLAKES WITH THE HELP OF PEOPLE MAKING DONATIONS
HELP OF PEOPLE MAKING DONATIONS CELEBRATED THE DAY INSTALLING
CELEBRATED THE DAY INSTALLING FENCES WITH ABOUT 200
FENCES WITH ABOUT 200 VOLUNTEERS.
VOLUNTEERS. >> EVERYBODY IN A'S HERE TODAY
>> EVERYBODY IN A'S HERE TODAY IS HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO
IS HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING NICE, SOMETHING
SOMETHING NICE, SOMETHING NEIGHBORLY.
NEIGHBORLY. THEY'VE BEEN IN A SITUATION
THEY'VE BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE HAD LOSS AND
WHERE THEY HAVE HAD LOSS AND SOMEBODY HELPED THEM OUT.
SOMEBODY HELPED THEM OUT. THIS IS REALLY A FEEL-GOOD
THIS IS REALLY A FEEL-GOOD EVENT.
EVENT. PEOPLE ARE HELPING BECAUSE THEY
PEOPLE ARE HELPING BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HELP.
WANT TO HELP. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE DEFENSE
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DEFENSE STATED BY THIS FIRE.
STATED BY THIS FIRE. MONTANANS HELPED EACH OTHER OUT
MONTANANS HELPED EACH OTHER OUT IN TIMES OF NEED.
IN TIMES OF NEED. FIGURED WE'D COME UP, PITCH IN,
FIGURED WE'D COME UP, PITCH IN, AND DO OUR PART.
AND DO OUR PART. >> I'M NOT SURE WHEN I WILL BE
>> I'M NOT SURE WHEN I WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE ALL THESE THANK
ABLE TO WRITE ALL THESE THANK YOU CARDS.
YOU CARDS. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT OUT
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT OUT TO EVERYBODY AND TO ALL OF THE
TO EVERYBODY AND TO ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND ALL OF THE
FIREFIGHTERS AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON THE FIRES,
PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON THE FIRES, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. >> NOW THE CONDITIONS AROUND
>> NOW THE CONDITIONS AROUND BILLINGS HAVE BEEN RIPE FOR
BILLINGS HAVE BEEN RIPE FOR WILDFIRE FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS
WILDFIRE FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS NOW.
NOW. SEVERAL FIRES SPARKED BUT WERE
SEVERAL FIRES SPARKED BUT WERE PUT OUT QUICKLY.
PUT OUT QUICKLY. THIS FIRE IN EMERALD HILLS SOUTH
THIS FIRE IN EMERALD HILLS SOUTH OF BILLINGS HAD THE POTENTIAL TO
OF BILLINGS HAD THE POTENTIAL TO RUN, BUT QUICK WORK THROUGH THE
RUN, BUT QUICK WORK THROUGH THE AIR KEPT THE FIRE AT BAY.
AIR KEPT THE FIRE AT BAY. IT WAS AGAIN THE AIR ATTACK AND
IT WAS AGAIN THE AIR ATTACK AND FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE THAT PUT
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE THAT PUT DOWN THE HIGHWAY 87 FIRE IN LATE
DOWN THE HIGHWAY 87 FIRE IN LATE AUGUST.
AUGUST. >> THE BILLINGS AIRPORT REMAINS
>> THE BILLINGS AIRPORT REMAINS A BUSY PLACE WITH THE AIR TANKER
A BUSY PLACE WITH THE AIR TANKER BASE PLAYING A CRUCIAL ROLE IN
BASE PLAYING A CRUCIAL ROLE IN FIGHTING FIRES FROM ABOVE.
FIGHTING FIRES FROM ABOVE. I'M JEANELLE SLADE.
I'M JEANELLE SLADE. >> I'M JAY KOHN.
>> I'M JAY KOHN. MTN NEWS.
MTN NEWS. >> WE ALL APPRECIATE THE
>> WE ALL APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICE AND THE EFFORT THAT
SACRIFICE AND THE EFFORT THAT THEY HAVE MADE TO KEEP US SAFE.
THEY HAVE MADE TO KEEP US SAFE. AND TRY TO KEEP THE FIRES UNDER
AND TRY TO KEEP THE FIRES UNDER CONTROL.
CONTROL. IT'S BEEN BRUTAL.
IT'S BEEN BRUTAL. HOPEFULLY, THE RAIN AND THE
HOPEFULLY, THE RAIN AND THE WEATHER HELPED A LITTLE BIT.
WEATHER HELPED A LITTLE BIT. AND THEY CAN GET HOME.
AND THEY CAN GET HOME. >> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO
>> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO BURN.
BURN. >> I SURE HOPE IT DON'T.
>> I SURE HOPE IT DON'T. BUT IT'S COMING.
BUT IT'S COMING. >> IF YOU WEREN'T HERE MY HOUSE
>> IF YOU WEREN'T HERE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN.
WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN. >> YOU COULD SEE IT, IN THE
>> YOU COULD SEE IT, IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD REALLY
DARK, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD REALLY SEE THE FLAMES.
SEE THE FLAMES. >> BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS
>> BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW
COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST.
FAST. >> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING
>> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT
OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT WHICH HELPED US.
WHICH HELPED US. >> IF IT WAS BURNING LIKE
>> IF IT WAS BURNING LIKE YESTERDAY WE WOULD BE BURNED OUT
YESTERDAY WE WOULD BE BURNED OUT RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW. >> IRREPLACEABLE.
>> IRREPLACEABLE. HOW DO YOU GO THROUGH AND MAKE A
HOW DO YOU GO THROUGH AND MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID
LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID LOSE.
LOSE. >> WITHIN PROBABLY A MATTER OF
>> WITHIN PROBABLY A MATTER OF HALF AN HOUR.
HALF AN HOUR. IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT,
IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION.
PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION. >> BUT I AM THANKFUL AS HELL
>> BUT I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT YOU WERE HERE TO SAVE MY
THAT YOU WERE HERE TO SAVE MY HOUSE AND SAVE MY FRIENDS'
HOUSE AND SAVE MY FRIENDS' HOUSES OVER HERE.
HOUSES OVER HERE. >> YOUR APPRECIATION IS VERY
>> YOUR APPRECIATION IS VERY HEART-FELT.
HEART-FELT. >> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR.
>> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR. ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. HOPEFULLY STAYS THAT WAY.
HOPEFULLY STAYS THAT WAY. >> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER
>> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER OUT, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.
>> WE NOW RETURN TO MONTANA WILDFIRE RELIEF.
WILDFIRE RELIEF. >> APPRECIATE YOU TUNING IN
>> APPRECIATE YOU TUNING IN TONIGHT, I'M DUSTIN KLEMANN.
TONIGHT, I'M DUSTIN KLEMANN. WHEN FIRE BREAKS OUT IT'S
WHEN FIRE BREAKS OUT IT'S FAMILY, NEIGHBOR, CO-WORKERS WHO
FAMILY, NEIGHBOR, CO-WORKERS WHO ARE THE FIRST TO RESPOND.
ARE THE FIRST TO RESPOND. VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS PLAY A
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN EVERY PART OF
CRITICAL ROLE IN EVERY PART OF FIREFIGHTING FROM INITIAL ATTACK
FIREFIGHTING FROM INITIAL ATTACK TO HOLDING FIRE LINES.
TO HOLDING FIRE LINES. FIREFIGHTERS SHARED THEIR STORY
FIREFIGHTERS SHARED THEIR STORY OF PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY
OF PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY ON ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
ON ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS FIRE DAYS THIS PAST SUMMER.
FIRE DAYS THIS PAST SUMMER. THEN WE LOOK AT THE CRITICAL
THEN WE LOOK AT THE CRITICAL NEED FOR MORE VOLUNTEER
NEED FOR MORE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS.
FIREFIGHTERS. >> WHEN FIRE BREAKS OUT IN
>> WHEN FIRE BREAKS OUT IN MONTANA, IT'S USUALLY FAMILY,
MONTANA, IT'S USUALLY FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, OR CO-WORKERS WHO ARE
NEIGHBORS, OR CO-WORKERS WHO ARE THE FIRST TO RESPOND.
THE FIRST TO RESPOND. ACCORDING TO THE MONTANA
ACCORDING TO THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION MORE THAN 90%
AND CONSERVATION MORE THAN 90% OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN MONTANA
OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN MONTANA ARE VOLUNTEER RUN.
ARE VOLUNTEER RUN. A GROUP OF FIREFIGHTERS SHARED
A GROUP OF FIREFIGHTERS SHARED WITH KTVH THEIR STORY OF
WITH KTVH THEIR STORY OF PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY
PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY DURING ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
DURING ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS FIRE DAYS THIS PAST SUMMER.
FIRE DAYS THIS PAST SUMMER. AND KEYLY LOOKS AT THEITY CAL
AND KEYLY LOOKS AT THEITY CAL NEED IN MONTANA FOR MORE
NEED IN MONTANA FOR MORE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. -- AT THE CRITICAL NEED FOR
-- AT THE CRITICAL NEED FOR MORE MONTANA FIREFIGHTERS.
MORE MONTANA FIREFIGHTERS. ¶
¶ >> IT WAS 7:00 IN THE EVENING.
>> IT WAS 7:00 IN THE EVENING. >> NOTHING ABOUT THIS FIRE MAKES
>> NOTHING ABOUT THIS FIRE MAKES SENSE.
SENSE. >> SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2.
>> SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2. >> JACKSONVILLE FIRE, EAST
>> JACKSONVILLE FIRE, EAST VALLEY.
VALLEY. FIRE COORDINATOR WEST VALLEY
FIRE COORDINATOR WEST VALLEY LEWIS & CLARK.
LEWIS & CLARK. 877 REQUESTING FIRST ALARM
877 REQUESTING FIRST ALARM WILDFIRE FORRALIS CREEK.
WILDFIRE FORRALIS CREEK. HIGHWAY 200 AS DOTR.
HIGHWAY 200 AS DOTR. ALIS STREET FIRE.
ALIS STREET FIRE. >> VOLUNTEERS FROM FIRE
>> VOLUNTEERS FROM FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CENTRAL
DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CENTRAL MONTANA RACED TO RESPOND TO THE
MONTANA RACED TO RESPOND TO THE ALIS CREEK FIRE.
ALIS CREEK FIRE. >> FIGHTING FIRE AT NIGHT IS
>> FIGHTING FIRE AT NIGHT IS DANGEROUS.
DANGEROUS. >> DAYS AFTER THAT FIRST ALARM
>> DAYS AFTER THAT FIRST ALARM CALL, WALLYGESTOR, CHIEF OF
CALL, WALLYGESTOR, CHIEF OF LEWIS & CLARK VOLUNTEER FIRE,
LEWIS & CLARK VOLUNTEER FIRE, PAINTS A VIVID PICTURE OF THAT
PAINTS A VIVID PICTURE OF THAT NIGHT.
NIGHT. >> THE FIRE WAS ALL OVER THOSE
>> THE FIRE WAS ALL OVER THOSE MOUNTAINS.
MOUNTAINS. IT WAS ROCKING.
IT WAS ROCKING. >> HE AND HIS GROUP OF
>> HE AND HIS GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WATCHED AS THE FLAMES
VOLUNTEERS WATCHED AS THE FLAMES CREPT CLOSER.
CREPT CLOSER. >> THE FIRE IS ALL ALONG THE
>> THE FIRE IS ALL ALONG THE FENCE.
FENCE. YOU CAN SEE THE RING OF FIRE
YOU CAN SEE THE RING OF FIRE GOES OUT AROUND ON THE FAR SIDE,
GOES OUT AROUND ON THE FAR SIDE, GOES INTO THE SMOKE AND
GOES INTO THE SMOKE AND DISAPPEARS.
DISAPPEARS. >> EACH FIREFIGHTER DIDN'T KNOW
>> EACH FIREFIGHTER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE GETTING INVOLVED
WHAT THEY WERE GETTING INVOLVED IN.
IN. >> NO PRECIPITATION THIS
>> NO PRECIPITATION THIS WEEKEND.
WEEKEND. REALLY, SATURDAY WILL BE DRY, A
REALLY, SATURDAY WILL BE DRY, A LITTLE SMOKEY, BREEZY, "RED FLAG
LITTLE SMOKEY, BREEZY, "RED FLAG WARNING" CONDITIONS.
WARNING" CONDITIONS. >> THAT WEEKEND THE WIRE GREW
>> THAT WEEKEND THE WIRE GREW NEARLY 10,000 ACRES.
NEARLY 10,000 ACRES. >> DOING THIS FOR 22 YEARS.
>> DOING THIS FOR 22 YEARS. IT'S STILL SCARY.
IT'S STILL SCARY. IF YOU'RE NOT SCARED YOU
IF YOU'RE NOT SCARED YOU SHOULDN'T BE OUT HERE.
SHOULDN'T BE OUT HERE. >> WITH MOUN TAS TANS
>> WITH MOUN TAS TANS SURROUNDING THE FIRE, RANCHERS
SURROUNDING THE FIRE, RANCHERS AND HOMES DOTTING THE PERIMETER,
AND HOMES DOTTING THE PERIMETER, THE CHIEF OF EAST VALLEY
THE CHIEF OF EAST VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE RECALLS THE TASK
VOLUNTEER FIRE RECALLS THE TASK AT HAND.
AT HAND. >> OBJECTIVE WAS TO SECURE THIS
>> OBJECTIVE WAS TO SECURE THIS LINE, AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE
LINE, AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIDGE SECURE A LINE SO IT
OF THE RIDGE SECURE A LINE SO IT DIDN'T GET INTO ANOTHER HOUSE
DIDN'T GET INTO ANOTHER HOUSE OVER THERE.
OVER THERE. >> THEM THE NIGHT CHANGED.
>> THEM THE NIGHT CHANGED. >> WE GOT CALL FROM COMMAND TO
>> WE GOT CALL FROM COMMAND TO BRING STRIKE TEAM TWO BACK OVER
BRING STRIKE TEAM TWO BACK OVER TO THIS MANT TANLS SHED DOWN
TO THIS MANT TANLS SHED DOWN HERE, THE SECTION HOUSE.
HERE, THE SECTION HOUSE. IT WAS BEING THREATENED.
IT WAS BEING THREATENED. >> DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
>> DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHED HOUSED A POTENTIAL THREAT.
SHED HOUSED A POTENTIAL THREAT. TWO 1,000 GALLON PROPANE TANKS.
TWO 1,000 GALLON PROPANE TANKS. 12 HOURS AFTER THAT FIRST CALL
12 HOURS AFTER THAT FIRST CALL TO RESPOND.
TO RESPOND. >> STARTED TO LIGHT UP ON THE
>> STARTED TO LIGHT UP ON THE HORIZON, OVER THERE.
HORIZON, OVER THERE. AND I THOUGHT, WELL, IT'S
AND I THOUGHT, WELL, IT'S SUNRISE.
SUNRISE. AND I WATCHED A LITTLE FARTHER
AND I WATCHED A LITTLE FARTHER AND IT JUST STARTED THE GLOW.
AND IT JUST STARTED THE GLOW. YOU KNEW THAT'S NOT THE SUNRISE.
YOU KNEW THAT'S NOT THE SUNRISE. IT'S COMING.
IT'S COMING. >> WHEN THESE FIREFIGHTERS GOT
>> WHEN THESE FIREFIGHTERS GOT HERE AND SAW THE FIRE BURNING UP
HERE AND SAW THE FIRE BURNING UP OVER THE RIDGE THEY REALIZED
OVER THE RIDGE THEY REALIZED THIS WAS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY
THIS WAS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY THEY HAD TO STOP THE FIRE FROM
THEY HAD TO STOP THE FIRE FROM TAKING THESE BUILDINGS AND THEN
TAKING THESE BUILDINGS AND THEN HOPPING HIGHWAY 200.
HOPPING HIGHWAY 200. KEEPING THE ALIS CREEK FIRE ON
KEEPING THE ALIS CREEK FIRE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY
THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WAS CRUCIAL.
WAS CRUCIAL. >> IF IT GETS OVER THERE, WE
>> IF IT GETS OVER THERE, WE CAN'T GET TO IT.
CAN'T GET TO IT. IT MB A HELICOPTER ONLY.
IT MB A HELICOPTER ONLY. >> WHIPPING WINDS PLAGUED THE
>> WHIPPING WINDS PLAGUED THE FIREFIGHTERS ALL NIGHT.
FIREFIGHTERS ALL NIGHT. WITH THAT SIDE DOWN THESE
WITH THAT SIDE DOWN THESE VOLUNTEERS SEIZED THEIR SMALL
VOLUNTEERS SEIZED THEIR SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY. >> WE PUNCHED NIGHT, ANCHORED
>> WE PUNCHED NIGHT, ANCHORED INTO THE BLACK AND JUST WENT TO
INTO THE BLACK AND JUST WENT TO WORK.
WORK. ALL TRUCKS WERE BACK DOWN HERE,
ALL TRUCKS WERE BACK DOWN HERE, WATERED THEM DOWN, GOT READY FOR
WATERED THEM DOWN, GOT READY FOR THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT.
THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT. >> A SWIFT CHANGE IN THE WIND.
>> A SWIFT CHANGE IN THE WIND. >> IT WAS IMMEDIATE.
>> IT WAS IMMEDIATE. >> CHANGED THE COURSE OF THE
>> CHANGED THE COURSE OF THE FIRE.
FIRE. >> WE WOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED IT
>> WE WOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED IT HERE, WE WOULD BE CHASING IT
HERE, WE WOULD BE CHASING IT THAT WAY.
THAT WAY. >> IT WAS AWESOME, EVERYTHING
>> IT WAS AWESOME, EVERYTHING WORKED OUT IN OUR FAVOR.
WORKED OUT IN OUR FAVOR. >> AND EVERYONE WAS EXHAUSTED.
>> AND EVERYONE WAS EXHAUSTED. >> 36 HOURS UP AT ONE TIME
>> 36 HOURS UP AT ONE TIME BEFORE I FINALLY WENT HOME.
BEFORE I FINALLY WENT HOME. >> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE
>> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT'S ALL VOLUNTEER.
UNDERSTAND IT'S ALL VOLUNTEER. >> STANDING IN THE SQUARE THEY
>> STANDING IN THE SQUARE THEY RELIVE A CRITICAL NIGHT.
RELIVE A CRITICAL NIGHT. >> JUST GIVES YOU THAT EMPTY
>> JUST GIVES YOU THAT EMPTY FEELING IN YOUR STOMACH THAT,
FEELING IN YOUR STOMACH THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOOD
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOOD EQUIPMENT, GOOD PEOPLE.
EQUIPMENT, GOOD PEOPLE. >> THIS THERE'S A RISK THAT GOES
>> THIS THERE'S A RISK THAT GOES WITH IT.
WITH IT. >> DESPITE STAYING AWAKE FOR A
>> DESPITE STAYING AWAKE FOR A DAY AND PUTTING THEMSELVES IN
DAY AND PUTTING THEMSELVES IN DANGER THESE VOLUNTEERS WOULD DO
DANGER THESE VOLUNTEERS WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN.
IT ALL AGAIN. >> WHEN YOU TAKE A DIFFERENCE IN
>> WHEN YOU TAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEBODY'S LIFE, YOU CAN GO TO
SOMEBODY'S LIFE, YOU CAN GO TO BED AT NIGHT AND GO, THAT'S
BED AT NIGHT AND GO, THAT'S PRETTY COOL WHAT WE DID TODAY.
PRETTY COOL WHAT WE DID TODAY. I HAVE A GOOD CREW, WE MADE A
I HAVE A GOOD CREW, WE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
DIFFERENCE. >> I'M SEELEY IN GREAT FALLS.
>> I'M SEELEY IN GREAT FALLS. MONTANA STATE FIRE CHIEF
MONTANA STATE FIRE CHIEF ASSOCIATION SAYS MORE THAN 90%
ASSOCIATION SAYS MORE THAN 90% OF THE STATE'S FIRE DEPARTMENTS
OF THE STATE'S FIRE DEPARTMENTS DEPEND ON VOLUNTEERS.
DEPEND ON VOLUNTEERS. WHO ARE USUALLY THE FIRST LINE
WHO ARE USUALLY THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN ANY FIRE.
OF DEFENSE IN ANY FIRE. EVEN BEFORE THIS EXPLOSIVE FIRE
EVEN BEFORE THIS EXPLOSIVE FIRE SEASON OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE
SEASON OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE FACING RECRUITMENT ISSUES.
FACING RECRUITMENT ISSUES. >> WE'LL TAKE WHATEVER YOU GIVE
>> WE'LL TAKE WHATEVER YOU GIVE US.
US. EVEN IF I CAN ONLY GET FOUR
EVEN IF I CAN ONLY GET FOUR HOURS A MONTH FROM YOU.
HOURS A MONTH FROM YOU. TWO HOURS A MONTH FROM YOU.
TWO HOURS A MONTH FROM YOU. I'LL TAKE WHATEVER YOU'LL GIVE
I'LL TAKE WHATEVER YOU'LL GIVE ME.
ME. AND IF I HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT,
AND IF I HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT, I'LL HAVE A FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I'LL HAVE A FIRE DEPARTMENT. >> THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF
>> THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION SAID LAST FEBRUARY
CONSERVATION SAID LAST FEBRUARY THAT ONE REASON RURAL
THAT ONE REASON RURAL DEPARTMENTS ARE IN A CRISIS,
DEPARTMENTS ARE IN A CRISIS, EMPLOYERS ARE LESS TOLERANT OF
EMPLOYERS ARE LESS TOLERANT OF VOLUNTEERS RESPONDING TO CALLS
VOLUNTEERS RESPONDING TO CALLS DURING THE DAY TIME HOURS.
DURING THE DAY TIME HOURS. >> WE HAVE HAD VOLUNTEERS TELL
>> WE HAVE HAD VOLUNTEERS TELL US THAT I CAN'T RESPOND DURING
US THAT I CAN'T RESPOND DURING THE DAY.
THE DAY. MY BOSS WON'T LET ME.
MY BOSS WON'T LET ME. I CAME BACK FROM A FIRE, I WOULD
I CAME BACK FROM A FIRE, I WOULD NOT HAVE A JOB.
NOT HAVE A JOB. >> BUT FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THAT'S
>> BUT FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THAT'S WHEN MOST EMERGENCIES OCCUR.
WHEN MOST EMERGENCIES OCCUR. >> USUALLY LATE AFTERNOON,
>> USUALLY LATE AFTERNOON, ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMERTIME
ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMERTIME WHEN THE WILD LAND SEASON COMES
WHEN THE WILD LAND SEASON COMES ALONG.
ALONG. >> ALONG WITH HAVING ENOUGH
>> ALONG WITH HAVING ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS TO RESPOND TO
VOLUNTEERS TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES AND THEIR
EMERGENCIES AND THEIR JURISDICTION, FIRE DEPARTMENTS
JURISDICTION, FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPOND TO MOOTULE AID CALLS IN
RESPOND TO MOOTULE AID CALLS IN OTHER COUNTIES.
OTHER COUNTIES. THEY SAY THE TIMING OF A FIRE
THEY SAY THE TIMING OF A FIRE CAN MAKE OR BREAK A STATION'S
CAN MAKE OR BREAK A STATION'S MUTUAL AID RESPONSE.
MUTUAL AID RESPONSE. >> WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF
>> WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK, EVERYBODY IS WORKING,
THE WEEK, EVERYBODY IS WORKING, WE DON'T HAVE VERY MANY
WE DON'T HAVE VERY MANY VOLUNTEERS, WE CAN'T MAKE MUCH
VOLUNTEERS, WE CAN'T MAKE MUCH OF A RESPONSE OUT OF THE COUNTY.
OF A RESPONSE OUT OF THE COUNTY. IF IT HAPPENS ON A WEEKEND WE
IF IT HAPPENS ON A WEEKEND WE HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS
HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE, THEN WE CAN MAKE A
AVAILABLE, THEN WE CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT.
COMMITMENT. TO A NEIGHBORING FIRE DEPARTMENT
TO A NEIGHBORING FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HELP THEM OUT.
AND HELP THEM OUT. >> SEVERAL VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS
>> SEVERAL VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS IN CASCADE COUNTY, INCLUDING
IN CASCADE COUNTY, INCLUDING MANCHESTER AND SAND KOOLEY
MANCHESTER AND SAND KOOLEY RESPONDED.
RESPONDED. THEY SAY IT WAS KEY IN
THEY SAY IT WAS KEY IN PROTECTING STRUCTURE AT RISK.
PROTECTING STRUCTURE AT RISK. >> THERE WERE NO OTHER PAID
>> THERE WERE NO OTHER PAID RESOURCES ON THAT, IN THAT
RESOURCES ON THAT, IN THAT SECTION OF THE FIRE MTN
SECTION OF THE FIRE MTN NEWS.
NEWS. IN CENTRAL MONTANA
IN CENTRAL MONTANA THE JULY FIRE WAS THE FIRST SIGN OF THINGS
THE JULY FIRE WAS THE FIRST SIGN OF THINGS TO COME.OFTEN TIMES,
FIRST SIGN OF THINGS TO COME.OFTEN TIMES, IN THESE REMOTE FIRES
TO COME.OFTEN TIMES, IN THESE REMOTE FIRES
IN THESE REMOTE FIRES
WHAT YOU THINK OF AS A FIREFIGHTER ISN'T ALWAYS THE
FIREFIGHTER ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE.KRTV'S SHANNON
ALWAYS THE CASE.KRTV'S SHANNON NEWTH AND TIM
CASE.KRTV'S SHANNON NEWTH AND TIM MCGONIGAL JOIN US
NEWTH AND TIM MCGONIGAL JOIN US FROM GREAT FALLS...
MCGONIGAL JOIN US FROM GREAT FALLS...
FROM GREAT FALLS...
VOLUNTEER FIRE CREWS RUSHED TO FIGHT THE EAST FORK
CREWS RUSHED TO FIGHT THE EAST FORK FIRE SOUTH OF HAVRE
FIGHT THE EAST FORK FIRE SOUTH OF HAVRE WHEN IT BROKE OUT ON
FIRE SOUTH OF HAVRE WHEN IT BROKE OUT ON AUGUST 27TH.
WHEN IT BROKE OUT ON AUGUST 27TH. THOU
THOUSANDS OF ACRES AND SEVERAL CABINS WERE BURNED AS THE FIRE
CABINS WERE BURNED AS THE FIRE SPREAD.
SPREAD. >> I WAS AT A FRIEND'S CABIN, I
>> I WAS AT A FRIEND'S CABIN, I REMEMBER WALKING AROUND FEELING
REMEMBER WALKING AROUND FEELING HOW DRY THE GRASS WAS AND THE
HOW DRY THE GRASS WAS AND THE SCUFF OF MY FOOT FELT LIKE IT
SCUFF OF MY FOOT FELT LIKE IT COULD IGNITE A FLAME.
COULD IGNITE A FLAME. AS WE HEADED OUT OF THE
AS WE HEADED OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS WE SAW VOLUNTEER
MOUNTAINS WE SAW VOLUNTEER TRUCKS HEADING IN.
TRUCKS HEADING IN. >> THE VOLUNTEER CREWS WEREN'T
>> THE VOLUNTEER CREWS WEREN'T ALONE ON THE EAST FORK FIRE.
ALONE ON THE EAST FORK FIRE. >> HUNDREDS CAME OUT, NEIGHBOR
>> HUNDREDS CAME OUT, NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR, DOING WHAT
HELPING NEIGHBOR, DOING WHAT MONTANANS DO.
MONTANANS DO. ¶
¶ >> AS RAIN FALLS IN THE BEAR'S
>> AS RAIN FALLS IN THE BEAR'S PAW MOUNTAINS.
PAW MOUNTAINS. >> A HUGE RELIEF.
>> A HUGE RELIEF. >> THEY SURVEY THE DAMAGE DONE
>> THEY SURVEY THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE EAST FORK FIRE.
BY THE EAST FORK FIRE. >> ROLLING BACK UP IN HERE.
>> ROLLING BACK UP IN HERE. >> THEY REPRESENT THREE OF THE
>> THEY REPRESENT THREE OF THE HUNDREDS OF HUMBLE CIVILIAN
HUNDREDS OF HUMBLE CIVILIAN FIREFIGHTERS.
FIREFIGHTERS. THOSE WHO SACRIFICE TIME,
THOSE WHO SACRIFICE TIME, ENERGY, AND RESOURCES SIMPLY
ENERGY, AND RESOURCES SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MONTANANS
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MONTANANS COULD.
COULD. >> HEARD THERE WAS A FIRE.
>> HEARD THERE WAS A FIRE. CAME TO IT, AND JUST WHAT YOU
CAME TO IT, AND JUST WHAT YOU DO, I GUESS.
DO, I GUESS. YOU LIVE IN THESE SMALL
YOU LIVE IN THESE SMALL COMMUNITIES.
COMMUNITIES. HELP EVERYBODY OUT.
HELP EVERYBODY OUT. >> THEY GAVE UP SLEEP AND A LOT
>> THEY GAVE UP SLEEP AND A LOT OF IT TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK.
OF IT TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK. EVEN THOSE DARK MIDDLE OF THE
EVEN THOSE DARK MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HOURS WHEN ORANGE FLAMES
NIGHT HOURS WHEN ORANGE FLAMES WERE ALL THAT LIT UP THE
WERE ALL THAT LIT UP THE HORIZON.
HORIZON. >> 24 HOURS A DAY.
>> 24 HOURS A DAY. >> EIGHT STRAIGHT DAYS.
>> EIGHT STRAIGHT DAYS. >> WORKED ALL NIGHT.
>> WORKED ALL NIGHT. SLEPT AN HOUR, WENT BACK TO WORK
SLEPT AN HOUR, WENT BACK TO WORK ALL DAY.
ALL DAY. >> ONE NIGHT I KUDLED UP
>> ONE NIGHT I KUDLED UP UNDERNEATH THE FIRE TRUCK JUST
UNDERNEATH THE FIRE TRUCK JUST TO GET A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF
TO GET A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF SHUT EYE.
SHUT EYE. >> I WAS WORE OUT BUT THE
>> I WAS WORE OUT BUT THE ADRENALINE KEPT YOU GOING.
ADRENALINE KEPT YOU GOING. YOU WANTED TO BE OUT THERE
YOU WANTED TO BE OUT THERE HELPING AS MUCH AS YOU COULD.
HELPING AS MUCH AS YOU COULD. >> THE EAST FORK FIRE IGNITED
>> THE EAST FORK FIRE IGNITED DEEP IN THE BEAR'S PAW MOUNTAINS
DEEP IN THE BEAR'S PAW MOUNTAINS ON THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY
ON THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY AUGUST 27.
AUGUST 27. QUICKLY SPREADING EVENTUALLY
QUICKLY SPREADING EVENTUALLY CHARRING NEARLY 22,000 ACRES.
CHARRING NEARLY 22,000 ACRES. >> THERE WAS A LOT OF MILES OF
>> THERE WAS A LOT OF MILES OF FENCE THAT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED
FENCE THAT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN THE FIRE.
IN THE FIRE. MAINTAINING CATTLE WHERE THEY
MAINTAINING CATTLE WHERE THEY BELONG IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE RIGHT
BELONG IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE RIGHT NOW.
NOW. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST HAYSTACKS AND A LOT OF HAY
HAYSTACKS AND A LOT OF HAY MEADOWS, GRAZING LAND.
MEADOWS, GRAZING LAND. >> CIVILIAN FIREFIGHTERS MADE
>> CIVILIAN FIREFIGHTERS MADE THEIR OWN APPARATUSES, UTILIZING
THEIR OWN APPARATUSES, UTILIZING WHATEVER WAS AVAILABLE IN
WHATEVER WAS AVAILABLE IN SUPPRESSION EFFORTS.
SUPPRESSION EFFORTS. >> PICKED UP A CHEMICAL TOTE
>> PICKED UP A CHEMICAL TOTE FROM A FAMILY FRIEND, RINSED IT
FROM A FAMILY FRIEND, RINSED IT OUT, LOADED UP IN THE BACK OF
OUT, LOADED UP IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP, AND FILLED IT WITH
THE PICKUP, AND FILLED IT WITH WATER, GOT A TWO INCH PUMP AND
WATER, GOT A TWO INCH PUMP AND FIREFIGHTING HOSE.
FIREFIGHTING HOSE. >> FIGHTING MORE THAN THE
>> FIGHTING MORE THAN THE OVERWHELMING FLAMES BUT ALSO THE
OVERWHELMING FLAMES BUT ALSO THE INTRICACIES THAT GO ALONG WITH A
INTRICACIES THAT GO ALONG WITH A BLAZE BURNING IN GRASS AND
BLAZE BURNING IN GRASS AND TIMBER.
TIMBER. >> SOMETIMES GOING BACK, THERE
>> SOMETIMES GOING BACK, THERE YOU JUST PUT UP ON, IT WOULD
YOU JUST PUT UP ON, IT WOULD FLARE UP RIGHT AWAY.
FLARE UP RIGHT AWAY. >> A BOND BROUGHT TOGETHER THOSE
>> A BOND BROUGHT TOGETHER THOSE WHO HELPED IN A WAY UNIQUE TO
WHO HELPED IN A WAY UNIQUE TO THIS FIREFIGHTING EFFORT.
THIS FIREFIGHTING EFFORT. >> YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN THE
>> YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN THE PERSON STANDING NEXT TO YOU, BUT
PERSON STANDING NEXT TO YOU, BUT BY THE END OF THE WEEK YOU DID.
BY THE END OF THE WEEK YOU DID. >> EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T GET ALONG,
>> EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T GET ALONG, YOU WRA BEST FRIENDS FIGHTING
YOU WRA BEST FRIENDS FIGHTING FIRES.
FIRES. >> MUTUAL SUPPORT FOR THE LOVE
>> MUTUAL SUPPORT FOR THE LOVE OF THE COMMUNITY.
OF THE COMMUNITY. >> COMMUNITY SUPPORT WAS
>> COMMUNITY SUPPORT WAS PHENOMENAL.
PHENOMENAL. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT
WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT.
THE SUPPORT. >> SOUTH OF HAVRE, SHANNON
>> SOUTH OF HAVRE, SHANNON NEWTH, MTN NEWS.
NEWTH, MTN NEWS. >> YOU'VE HEARD STORIES ABOUT
>> YOU'VE HEARD STORIES ABOUT FIGHTING FIRES BUT THE FIGHT CAN
FIGHTING FIRES BUT THE FIGHT CAN BEGIN LONG BEFORE A FIRE STARTS.
BEGIN LONG BEFORE A FIRE STARTS. PROPER MITIGATION ON YOUR
PROPER MITIGATION ON YOUR PROPERTY IS BEST LINE OF
PROPERTY IS BEST LINE OF DEFENSE.
DEFENSE. >> YOU LIVE IN THE STATE OF
>> YOU LIVE IN THE STATE OF MONTANA.
MONTANA. IT'S NOT IF WE GET A FIRE, IT'S
IT'S NOT IF WE GET A FIRE, IT'S A QUESTION OF WHEN.
A QUESTION OF WHEN. A SOLID WITH WALL OF TREES IS
A SOLID WITH WALL OF TREES IS NOT A HEALTHY PLANT COMMUNITY.
NOT A HEALTHY PLANT COMMUNITY. >> HE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4
>> HE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 TOLE YEAR FUEL MITIGATION
TOLE YEAR FUEL MITIGATION PROPERTY ON HIS 160 ACRE RANCH
PROPERTY ON HIS 160 ACRE RANCH NORTH OF YORK.
NORTH OF YORK. >> YOU CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 500
>> YOU CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 500 YARDS.
YARDS. THIS IS LEFT OVER FROM THE
THIS IS LEFT OVER FROM THE BEETLE KILL CAME THROUGH THE
BEETLE KILL CAME THROUGH THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
LAST SEVEN YEARS. IF A FIRE WERE TO COME THROUGH,
IF A FIRE WERE TO COME THROUGH, IT WOULD BE GONE.
IT WOULD BE GONE. >> YOU COULDN'T --
>> YOU COULDN'T -- >> WOOD CHIPS.
>> WOOD CHIPS. >> YOU COULDN'T SEE ANY OF IT.
>> YOU COULDN'T SEE ANY OF IT. >> WORKING IN CONSULTATION WITH
>> WORKING IN CONSULTATION WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCE
THE NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE HE'S
CONSERVATION SERVICE HE'S REMOVING DEAD AND DYING TIMBER
REMOVING DEAD AND DYING TIMBER FROM HIS PROPERTY AND
FROM HIS PROPERTY AND ELIMINATING LADDER FUELS THAT
ELIMINATING LADDER FUELS THAT TURN A GRASS FIRE INTO A CROWN
TURN A GRASS FIRE INTO A CROWN FIRE.
FIRE. >> WHEN WE TAKE THESE FIRE
>> WHEN WE TAKE THESE FIRE FUELS, TRIM DOWN AS HIGH AS WE
FUELS, TRIM DOWN AS HIGH AS WE CAN REACH DOWN TO THE GROUND AND
CAN REACH DOWN TO THE GROUND AND GET THE JUNIPERS OUT WHAT
GET THE JUNIPERS OUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE FIRE WILL COME
HAPPENS IS THE FIRE WILL COME THROUGH HERE, BURN THE GRASS,
THROUGH HERE, BURN THE GRASS, IT'S GOING TO BURN THE NEEDLE
IT'S GOING TO BURN THE NEEDLE CAPS AND CONTINUE PAST.
CAPS AND CONTINUE PAST. MIGHT SCORCH THE BOTTOM OF THE
MIGHT SCORCH THE BOTTOM OF THE TREE BUT THE ODDS OF IT GOING UP
TREE BUT THE ODDS OF IT GOING UP THAT TREE AND GETTING INTO THE
THAT TREE AND GETTING INTO THE UPPER FUELS OF THAT TREE ARE
UPPER FUELS OF THAT TREE ARE VERY, VERY SLIM.
VERY, VERY SLIM. >> WE'VE BEEN TRIMMING TREES, WE
>> WE'VE BEEN TRIMMING TREES, WE HAVE WEED EATED ALL OF THE
HAVE WEED EATED ALL OF THE GROUND.
GROUND. >> THE NICKERSON FAMILY
>> THE NICKERSON FAMILY CONTINUES TO WORK AS THE ALICE
CONTINUES TO WORK AS THE ALICE FIRE BEARS DOWN ON THEIR RANCH.
FIRE BEARS DOWN ON THEIR RANCH. >> GETTING RID OF THE FUEL,
>> GETTING RID OF THE FUEL, CHAINSAWS READY, WE'LL CHOP ANY
CHAINSAWS READY, WE'LL CHOP ANY TREE TO THE GROUND.
TREE TO THE GROUND. >> IF A FIRE COMES THROUGH HERE,
>> IF A FIRE COMES THROUGH HERE, IT'S JUST GOING TO BURN
IT'S JUST GOING TO BURN EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH AND IT'S
EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH AND IT'S NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE TREES.
NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE TREES. >> AND HE'S A VOLUNTEER
>> AND HE'S A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, FEELS GOOD ABOUT
FIREFIGHTER, FEELS GOOD ABOUT THE WORK HE'S DONE.
THE WORK HE'S DONE. >> I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT IF
>> I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT IF A FIRE WERE TO COME THROUGH
A FIRE WERE TO COME THROUGH HERE, WE WOULD MINIMIZE THE
HERE, WE WOULD MINIMIZE THE DAMAGES TO OUR PROPERTY AND WE
DAMAGES TO OUR PROPERTY AND WE WOULDN'T SUSTAIN ANY STRUCTURAL
WOULDN'T SUSTAIN ANY STRUCTURAL LOSS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
LOSS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO
>> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO BURN.
BURN. I SURE HOPE IT DON'T.
I SURE HOPE IT DON'T. BUT IT'S COMING.
BUT IT'S COMING. >> IF YOU WEREN'T HERE MY HOUSE
>> IF YOU WEREN'T HERE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN.
WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN. >> OVER THERE, YOU COULD SEE IT,
>> OVER THERE, YOU COULD SEE IT, IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD
IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD REALLY SEE THE FLAMES.
REALLY SEE THE FLAMES. BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS
BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW
COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST.
FAST. >> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING
>> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT,
OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT, WHICH HELPED US.
WHICH HELPED US. IT WAS BLOWING LIKE YESTERDAY,
IT WAS BLOWING LIKE YESTERDAY, WE WOULD BE BURNED OUT RIGHT
WE WOULD BE BURNED OUT RIGHT HERE.
HERE. >>ER REPLACEABLE.
>>ER REPLACEABLE. MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT
MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID LOSE.
YOU DID LOSE. >> WITHIN A MATTER OF HALF AN
>> WITHIN A MATTER OF HALF AN HOUR.
HOUR. IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT,
IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION.
PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION. >> BUT I AM THANKFUL AS HELL
>> BUT I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT YOU'RE HERE TO SAVE MY
THAT YOU'RE HERE TO SAVE MY HOUSE, AND TO SAVE MY FRIENDS'
HOUSE, AND TO SAVE MY FRIENDS' HOUSES OVER HERE.
HOUSES OVER HERE. >> WELL YOUR APPRECIATION IS
>> WELL YOUR APPRECIATION IS VERY HEART-FELT.
VERY HEART-FELT. >> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR.
>> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR. ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY.
HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY. >> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER
>> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER OUT.
OUT. I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.
I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED. >> TURNING THIS YEAR'S FIRE
>> TURNING THIS YEAR'S FIRE SEASON SOUTHWEST M. FARED BETTER
SEASON SOUTHWEST M. FARED BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PARTS OF THE
THAN MOST OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.
STATE. DONNA KELLY JOINS US FROM
DONNA KELLY JOINS US FROM BOZEMAN WITH A LOOK AT THE
BOZEMAN WITH A LOOK AT THE AFTERMATH OF ONE BIG FIRE THAT
AFTERMATH OF ONE BIG FIRE THAT DID IGNITE IN THE REGION.
DID IGNITE IN THE REGION. >> THE LARGEST WILDFIRE IN
>> THE LARGEST WILDFIRE IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA THIS SEASON
SOUTHWEST MONTANA THIS SEASON WAS THE MEYERS FIRE SOUTH OF
WAS THE MEYERS FIRE SOUTH OF PHILLIPS BURG.
PHILLIPS BURG. IT SCORCHED MORE THAN 62,000
IT SCORCHED MORE THAN 62,000 ACRES AND FORCED EVACUATIONS.
ACRES AND FORCED EVACUATIONS. SEPTEMBER SNOW AND RAIN KNOCKED
SEPTEMBER SNOW AND RAIN KNOCKED THE FIRE DOWN AND HAS NEARLY PUT
THE FIRE DOWN AND HAS NEARLY PUT IT OUT.
IT OUT. MTN'S JOHN AMY WALKED THE CHAR
MTN'S JOHN AMY WALKED THE CHAR FOR US LEFT BEHIND AND TALKED TO
FOR US LEFT BEHIND AND TALKED TO THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE BLAZE.
THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE BLAZE. >> YOU HEAR THAT?
>> YOU HEAR THAT? >> THAT DULL, DISTANT CRACK WAS
>> THAT DULL, DISTANT CRACK WAS THE SOUND OF A FIRE-DAMAGED TREE
THE SOUND OF A FIRE-DAMAGED TREE TOPPLING OVER.
TOPPLING OVER. AND WHILE RECENT RAINS AND SNOW
AND WHILE RECENT RAINS AND SNOW TAMPED OUT MUCH OF THE WILDFIRE
TAMPED OUT MUCH OF THE WILDFIRE BURNING SOUTH OF PHILLIPSBURKE
BURNING SOUTH OF PHILLIPSBURKE THE HAZARD OF FALLING TREES AND
THE HAZARD OF FALLING TREES AND UNSTABLE GROUND CONTINUED TO
UNSTABLE GROUND CONTINUED TO MAKE THIS CHARRED FOREST A
MAKE THIS CHARRED FOREST A DANGEROUS PLACE.
DANGEROUS PLACE. >> IT'LL EXIST FOR A WHILE.
>> IT'LL EXIST FOR A WHILE. NOT JUST THIS FALL, BUT THE
NOT JUST THIS FALL, BUT THE SNAGS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE UNTIL
SNAGS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE UNTIL THEY FINALLY FALL TO THE GROUND.
THEY FINALLY FALL TO THE GROUND. >> HUNTERS AND OUTDOOR THUSHT
>> HUNTERS AND OUTDOOR THUSHT YASHTS ARE WARNED TO BE CAUTIOUS
YASHTS ARE WARNED TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEN THEY RETURN TO THESE WOODS.
WHEN THEY RETURN TO THESE WOODS. >> YOU CAN STILL HAVE THINGS
>> YOU CAN STILL HAVE THINGS COME LOOSE WITH ADDITIONAL
COME LOOSE WITH ADDITIONAL MOISTURE, TREES NAULG, ROCKS
MOISTURE, TREES NAULG, ROCKS ROLLING.
ROLLING. >> SINCE LIGHTNING FIRST STARTED
>> SINCE LIGHTNING FIRST STARTED THIS FIRE IN MID-JULY, IT WAS A
THIS FIRE IN MID-JULY, IT WAS A DIFFICULT ONE TO FIGHT.
DIFFICULT ONE TO FIGHT. CREWS USED A DEFENSIVE STRATEGY
CREWS USED A DEFENSIVE STRATEGY TO SAVE STRUCTURES AROUND MOOSE
TO SAVE STRUCTURES AROUND MOOSE LAKE THAT WERE THREATENED BY THE
LAKE THAT WERE THREATENED BY THE FAST-MOVING FLAMES.
FAST-MOVING FLAMES. >> WE HAD LIMITED RESOURCES, AND
>> WE HAD LIMITED RESOURCES, AND EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, WITH
EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR, WITH EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS. >> I'M STANDING HERE IN THE
>> I'M STANDING HERE IN THE FIRE-BLACKENED WILDERNESS.
FIRE-BLACKENED WILDERNESS. AND THIS IS A SPOT WHERE
AND THIS IS A SPOT WHERE FIREFIGHTERS LITERALLY DIVERTED
FIREFIGHTERS LITERALLY DIVERTED THIS FIRE AROUND A STRUCTURE.
THIS FIRE AROUND A STRUCTURE. IN FACT THE FLAMES CAME WITHIN
IN FACT THE FLAMES CAME WITHIN YARDS OF THE CABIN.
YARDS OF THE CABIN. >> SET UP PUMPS AND STRIMPGLER
>> SET UP PUMPS AND STRIMPGLER SYSTEMS, AND -- SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS, AND -- SPRINKLER SYSTEM, GET THE ELEVATED
SYSTEM, GET THE ELEVATED MOISTURE AROUND THE CABIN.
MOISTURE AROUND THE CABIN. THE IDEA IS FOR THE FIRE TO MOVE
THE IDEA IS FOR THE FIRE TO MOVE AROUND THE STRUCTURE LEAVING THE
AROUND THE STRUCTURE LEAVING THE STRUCTURE SAFE.
STRUCTURE SAFE. >> NO STRUCTURES WERE LOST.
>> NO STRUCTURES WERE LOST. SOUTH OF PHILLIPSBURG, JOHN AMY,
SOUTH OF PHILLIPSBURG, JOHN AMY, MTN NEWS.
MTN NEWS. >> THE DURATION, THE INTENSITY.
>> THE DURATION, THE INTENSITY. >> WE'RE IN A SERIOUS SITUATION
>> WE'RE IN A SERIOUS SITUATION HERE.
HERE. >> WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TOLD
>> WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TOLD THAT OTHERS KNOW BETTER THAN WE
THAT OTHERS KNOW BETTER THAN WE DO.
DO. WE WANT OUR FORESTS TO BURN
WE WANT OUR FORESTS TO BURN EVERY SUMMER?
EVERY SUMMER? >> IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE TO RUN A
>> IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE TO RUN A FIRE LIKE THIS.
FIRE LIKE THIS. >> I'M IN LIVINGSTON.
>> I'M IN LIVINGSTON. LOGGERS AND TIMBER PRODUCERS IN
LOGGERS AND TIMBER PRODUCERS IN MONTANA SAY THEY CAN DO A LOT TO
MONTANA SAY THEY CAN DO A LOT TO DECREASE THE NUMBER AND
DECREASE THE NUMBER AND INTENSITY OF WILDFIRES IN THE
INTENSITY OF WILDFIRES IN THE STATE.
STATE. HOW DO WO THEY DO THAT?
HOW DO WO THEY DO THAT? BY THINNING DANGEROUSLY
BY THINNING DANGEROUSLY OVERGROWN FORESTS.
OVERGROWN FORESTS. THEY SAY ACTIVITY LIKE THIS
THEY SAY ACTIVITY LIKE THIS COULD CREATE A LOT OF JOBS, AND
COULD CREATE A LOT OF JOBS, AND MAKE THE STATE SAFER.
MAKE THE STATE SAFER. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRE
>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRE TRIANGLE, IT TAKES WEATHER,
TRIANGLE, IT TAKES WEATHER, TOPOGRAPHY AND FUEL.
TOPOGRAPHY AND FUEL. THERE'S ONLY ONE THING THAT
THERE'S ONLY ONE THING THAT HUMANS CAN CONTROL, AND THAT IS
HUMANS CAN CONTROL, AND THAT IS FUEL.
FUEL. >> SOME SAY OVERGROWN FORESTS
>> SOME SAY OVERGROWN FORESTS ARE NOW A DANGER TO THE
ARE NOW A DANGER TO THE FIREFIGHTERS THEMSELVES.
FIREFIGHTERS THEMSELVES. >> I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF
>> I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF FIRE CHIEFS ANY MORE THAT
FIRE CHIEFS ANY MORE THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO RISK THE
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO RISK THE ROOIFS OF THEIR FIREFIGHTERS.
ROOIFS OF THEIR FIREFIGHTERS. >> 22.5 MILLION ACRES OF
>> 22.5 MILLION ACRES OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS IN
NATIONAL FOREST LANDS IN MONTANA.
MONTANA. WE WANT TO TREAT ROUGHLY 5
WE WANT TO TREAT ROUGHLY 5 MILLION ACRES.
MILLION ACRES. >> WE ARE TRYING TO ENGINEER,
>> WE ARE TRYING TO ENGINEER, TRYING TO ACTUALLY CONSTRUCT A
TRYING TO ACTUALLY CONSTRUCT A FOREST THAT'S FIREPROOF.
FOREST THAT'S FIREPROOF. IT'S RIDICULOUS.
IT'S RIDICULOUS. THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK.
THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK. >> I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN, IT
>> I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN, IT WORKS.
WORKS. AND IT SAVES LIVES.
AND IT SAVES LIVES. CLEAN WATER AND CLEAN AIR.
CLEAN WATER AND CLEAN AIR. >> IF YOU CLEAR CUT THE FOREST
>> IF YOU CLEAR CUT THE FOREST WHICH WE ARE HAVING THOUSANDS OF
WHICH WE ARE HAVING THOUSANDS OF ACRES A YEAR CLEAR CUT, ALL BETS
ACRES A YEAR CLEAR CUT, ALL BETS ARE OFF.
ARE OFF. YOU HAVE NOTHING LEFT OF THE
YOU HAVE NOTHING LEFT OF THE FOREST.
FOREST. >> BOTH SENATORS TESTER AND
>> BOTH SENATORS TESTER AND DAINES ALSO WANT SOMETHING ELSE
DAINES ALSO WANT SOMETHING ELSE TO CHANGE.
TO CHANGE. THEY SAY INSTEAD OF HAVING THE
THEY SAY INSTEAD OF HAVING THE FOREST SERVICE PAY FOR
FOREST SERVICE PAY FOR FIREFIGHTING OUT OF ITS ANNUAL
FIREFIGHTING OUT OF ITS ANNUAL BUDGET, WILDFIRES SHOULD BE
BUDGET, WILDFIRES SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER NATURAL
TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER NATURAL DISASTER AND FUNDED THROUGH FEE
DISASTER AND FUNDED THROUGH FEE MA.
MA. IN LIVINGSTON, JOHN SHEARER, MTN
IN LIVINGSTON, JOHN SHEARER, MTN NEWS.
NEWS. >> THANKS.
>> THANKS. MONTANA GOVERNOR STEVE BULLOCK
MONTANA GOVERNOR STEVE BULLOCK DECLARED A FIRE EMERGENCY FOR
DECLARED A FIRE EMERGENCY FOR THE STATE ON JULY 23.
THE STATE ON JULY 23. HE TOOK TO IT A STATE OF
HE TOOK TO IT A STATE OF DISASTER ON SEPTEMBER 1.
DISASTER ON SEPTEMBER 1. HE SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE STATE
HE SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE STATE RECOVERS FROM A CAT SFROFIC
RECOVERS FROM A CAT SFROFIC WILDFIRE SEASON.
WILDFIRE SEASON. >> IT'S BEEN AN HISTORIC SEASON
>> IT'S BEEN AN HISTORIC SEASON FOR WILDFIRES ACROSS THE STATE.
FOR WILDFIRES ACROSS THE STATE. HOW HAS YOUR OFFICE AND THE
HOW HAS YOUR OFFICE AND THE STATE MET THE CHALLENGES THAT WE
STATE MET THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED THIS SUMMER?
FACED THIS SUMMER? >> EVERY SINGLE MORNING I HAVE A
>> EVERY SINGLE MORNING I HAVE A FIRE BRIEFING.
FIRE BRIEFING. WHERE WE BRING A LOT OF THE KEY
WHERE WE BRING A LOT OF THE KEY FOLKS IN.
FOLKS IN. WHERE ARE THE CHALLENGES AND
WHERE ARE THE CHALLENGES AND WHAT MORE CAN WE PROVIDE.
WHAT MORE CAN WE PROVIDE. IN SOME RESPECTS THAT'S BEEN
IN SOME RESPECTS THAT'S BEEN EVERYTHING FROM SPEAKING
EVERYTHING FROM SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO FEE MA DIRECTOR
DIRECTLY TO FEE MA DIRECTOR ABOUT -- FEMA DIRECTOR ABOUT
ABOUT -- FEMA DIRECTOR ABOUT WAYS TO GET RESOURCES IN,
WAYS TO GET RESOURCES IN, MOBILIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD.
MOBILIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD. NOT JUST FOR THE AIR ATTACKS,
NOT JUST FOR THE AIR ATTACKS, NOT JUST SAFETY, SAFETY AND
NOT JUST SAFETY, SAFETY AND SECURITY, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE
SECURITY, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE GUARD SOLDIERS FIGHTING FIRES.
GUARD SOLDIERS FIGHTING FIRES. TO DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN
TO DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO BOTH COORDINATE THE
TO BOTH COORDINATE THE REASSOCIATIONS AND REMIND
REASSOCIATIONS AND REMIND EVERYBODY IN THE HISTORIC SEASON
EVERYBODY IN THE HISTORIC SEASON FIREFIGHTER SAFETY, ONE OF THE
FIREFIGHTER SAFETY, ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALL HAVE TO EMPHASIZE.
THINGS WE ALL HAVE TO EMPHASIZE. >> HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE
>> HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR WHAT IT COST TO PUT
TO PAY FOR WHAT IT COST TO PUT
THAT TAKES A SPECIAL SESSION, IF THAT TAKES ADDITIONAL THINGS.
THAT TAKES ADDITIONAL THINGS. BUT WE CAN'T, ESPECIALLY OVER
BUT WE CAN'T, ESPECIALLY OVER ONE MILLION ACRES BURNED,
ONE MILLION ACRES BURNED, COMMUNITIES THREATENED, THE
COMMUNITIES THREATENED, THE FINANCES CAN'T BE THE ISSUE.
FINANCES CAN'T BE THE ISSUE. WE HAVE TO AGGRESSIVELY FIGHT
WE HAVE TO AGGRESSIVELY FIGHT THE FIRES.
THE FIRES. >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, WOULD
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, WOULD THAT BE AN UNUSUAL MOVE TO CALL
THAT BE AN UNUSUAL MOVE TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO PAY THE
A SPECIAL SESSION TO PAY THE BILLS FOR THE FIRE?
BILLS FOR THE FIRE? >> IT'S SOMETHING THAT USED TO
>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT USED TO HAPPEN IN THE PAST.
HAPPEN IN THE PAST. IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE AT THE
IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE AT THE START OF THE FIRE SEASON WE
START OF THE FIRE SEASON WE GATHER ALL OF THE AGENCIES
GATHER ALL OF THE AGENCIES TOGETHER.
TOGETHER. AND IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED THIS
AND IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED THIS YEAR M IN MISSOULA.
YEAR M IN MISSOULA. FEDERAL, STATE, TRIBAL, THEY
FEDERAL, STATE, TRIBAL, THEY SAID THIS YEAR CERTAINLY WE HAVE
SAID THIS YEAR CERTAINLY WE HAVE DROUGHT IN EASTERN MONTANA.
DROUGHT IN EASTERN MONTANA. BUT WEST, AFTER OUR RAIN STORMS,
BUT WEST, AFTER OUR RAIN STORMS, AFTER ALL OF THE MOISTURE OVER
AFTER ALL OF THE MOISTURE OVER THE WINTER WE EXPECT A WHITE
THE WINTER WE EXPECT A WHITE FIRE SEASON.
FIRE SEASON. WELL THEN WE HAD PROBABLY
WELL THEN WE HAD PROBABLY LONGEST PERIOD OF DROUGHT IN
LONGEST PERIOD OF DROUGHT IN MISSOULA COUNTY ALONE, SINCE THE
MISSOULA COUNTY ALONE, SINCE THE 1890s.
1890s. WE DID SPEND MORE THAN
WE DID SPEND MORE THAN ANTICIPATED.
ANTICIPATED. AND WHAT WE DO TO FINANCE THAT
AND WHAT WE DO TO FINANCE THAT RIGHT NOW, IS TAKE EMERGENCY
RIGHT NOW, IS TAKE EMERGENCY FUNDS, BORROW FROM THE NEXT YEAR
FUNDS, BORROW FROM THE NEXT YEAR FOR DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
FOR DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION. BUT WE'LL GET THAT TAKEN AIR OF.
BUT WE'LL GET THAT TAKEN AIR OF. -- TAKEN CARE OF.
-- TAKEN CARE OF. THAT CAN'T BE WHEN WE HAVE OVER
THAT CAN'T BE WHEN WE HAVE OVER 5,000 FIREFIGHTERS OUT EVEN
5,000 FIREFIGHTERS OUT EVEN TODAY, STRUCTURES THREATENED, SO
TODAY, STRUCTURES THREATENED, SO MANY ISSUES OUT THERE.
MANY ISSUES OUT THERE. IT CAN'T BE ABOUT CAN WE AFFORD
IT CAN'T BE ABOUT CAN WE AFFORD IT.
IT. HECK, YEAH, WE CAN AFFORD IT.
HECK, YEAH, WE CAN AFFORD IT. >> ONE BIG TOPIC THAT COMES UP,
>> ONE BIG TOPIC THAT COMES UP, PEOPLE START TO REALLY THINK
PEOPLE START TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THESE FIRES, IS FOREST
ABOUT THESE FIRES, IS FOREST MANAGEMENT.
MANAGEMENT. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, IF WE WERE
A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, IF WE WERE LOGGING MORE, IF WE WERE
LOGGING MORE, IF WE WERE SPENDING MORE, IF WE WERE ABLE
SPENDING MORE, IF WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE THESE PROJECTS BE DONE
TO HAVE THESE PROJECTS BE DONE AND COMPLETED WITHOUT THE
AND COMPLETED WITHOUT THE LAWSUITS THAT HAPPEN WE WOULDN'T
LAWSUITS THAT HAPPEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE THESE CATASTROPHIC FIRES.
HAVE THESE CATASTROPHIC FIRES. WHAT'S YOUR POSITION, DO WE NEED
WHAT'S YOUR POSITION, DO WE NEED TO LOG MORE
HERE'S THE FIRST THING WE CAN DO.
DO. IF YOU GO PACK TO 1995, RIGHT,
IF YOU GO PACK TO 1995, RIGHT, 16% OF THE FOREST SERVICE'
16% OF THE FOREST SERVICE' BUDGET WAS SPENT ON FIRES.
BUDGET WAS SPENT ON FIRES. NOW IT'S OVER 60%.
NOW IT'S OVER 60%. THERE'S 40% LESS STAFF ON THE
THERE'S 40% LESS STAFF ON THE FOREST SERVICE SIDE NOW WORKING
FOREST SERVICE SIDE NOW WORKING IN THE WOODS, ESSENTIALLY TAKING
IN THE WOODS, ESSENTIALLY TAKING CARE OF THIS.
CARE OF THIS. UNTIL LAST YEAR I WAS CHAIRMAN
UNTIL LAST YEAR I WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE WESTERN GOVERNOR'S
OF THE WESTERN GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION.
ASSOCIATION. DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ALL AGREE THAT ENDING
GOVERNORS ALL AGREE THAT ENDING THIS PRACTICE OF FIRE BORROWING,
THIS PRACTICE OF FIRE BORROWING, MAKING SURE THAT FOREST SERVICE
MAKING SURE THAT FOREST SERVICE HAS RESOURCES TO WORK IN THE
HAS RESOURCES TO WORK IN THE WOODS, NOT JUST DEAL WITH
WOODS, NOT JUST DEAL WITH FIGHTING FIRES, WOULD BE A SICK
FIGHTING FIRES, WOULD BE A SICK ANT, SIGNIFICANT STEP.
ANT, SIGNIFICANT STEP. WE DO NEED TO BE DOING WORK IN
WE DO NEED TO BE DOING WORK IN THE WOODS.
THE WOODS. DON'T KID YOURSELF THAT WHEN YOU
DON'T KID YOURSELF THAT WHEN YOU HAVE, LIKE, THE LONGEST PERIOD
HAVE, LIKE, THE LONGEST PERIOD OF PROLONGED DROUGHT THAT WE'VE
OF PROLONGED DROUGHT THAT WE'VE SEEN SINCE IN SOME AREAS
SEEN SINCE IN SOME AREAS LITERALLY CENTURY, WHEN YOU HAVE
LITERALLY CENTURY, WHEN YOU HAVE SEASONS ARE GETTING HOTTER AND
SEASONS ARE GETTING HOTTER AND HOTTER.
HOTTER. THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE GOING TO
THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE GOING TO GET RID OF FIRE.
GET RID OF FIRE. AND ANYBODY THAT SUGGESTS THAT A
AND ANYBODY THAT SUGGESTS THAT A MILLION ACRES THAT WERE BURNED
MILLION ACRES THAT WERE BURNED THIS YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN WOULD
THIS YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT IF WE DID A
HAVE BEEN GREAT IF WE DID A LITTLE MORE WORK IN THE WOODS.
LITTLE MORE WORK IN THE WOODS. I THINK THAT UNFORTUNATELY
I THINK THAT UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE USING FIRES FOR
THEY'RE USING FIRES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, AS OPPOSED
POLITICAL PURPOSES, AS OPPOSED TO THE RECOGNITION THAT WE OUGHT
TO THE RECOGNITION THAT WE OUGHT TO END FIRE BORROWING, WORKING
TO END FIRE BORROWING, WORKING IN THE WOODS, WE NEED TO BE
IN THE WOODS, WE NEED TO BE SAFEGUARDING INDIVIDUAL HOMES,
SAFEGUARDING INDIVIDUAL HOMES, MAKING THEM FIRE SAFE.
MAKING THEM FIRE SAFE. A LOT OF THIS MONEY ALSO GETS
A LOT OF THIS MONEY ALSO GETS SPENT IN THE WILD LAND URBAN
SPENT IN THE WILD LAND URBAN INTERFACE.
INTERFACE. >> SHOULD WE LOG A LITTLE BIT
>> SHOULD WE LOG A LITTLE BIT MORE?
MORE? >> I WANT TO SEE LOGS ON TRUCKS.
>> I WANT TO SEE LOGS ON TRUCKS. I WANT TO KEEP THAT INA.
I WANT TO KEEP THAT INA. >> STRUCTURE ALIVE.
>> STRUCTURE ALIVE. WHEN DO YOU THAT WORK, YOU'RE
WHEN DO YOU THAT WORK, YOU'RE GOING TO NOT ONLY BE GIVEN
GOING TO NOT ONLY BE GIVEN MONTANANS GOOD JOBS BUT ALSO
MONTANANS GOOD JOBS BUT ALSO TAKING CARE OF WATERSHEDS AND
TAKING CARE OF WATERSHEDS AND TAKING CARE OF THE FOREST THAT
TAKING CARE OF THE FOREST THAT MUCH BETTER.
MUCH BETTER. >> WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE
>> WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT, THERE WAS FRUSTRATION,
BIT, THERE WAS FRUSTRATION, PEOPLE LEFT OUT OF THE THE
PEOPLE LEFT OUT OF THE THE CONVERSATION ON THE NATIONAL
CONVERSATION ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT, WE WERE ON FIRE
LEVEL THAT, WE WERE ON FIRE WHILE OTHER STATES WERE DEALING
WHILE OTHER STATES WERE DEALING WITH THEIR OWN NATURAL
WITH THEIR OWN NATURAL DISASTERS.
DISASTERS. YOU MENTIONED, IT'S ALMOST
YOU MENTIONED, IT'S ALMOST IMPORTANT FOR THE REST OF THE
IMPORTANT FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT IT
COUNTRY TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT IT IS WE'RE GOING THROUGH.
IS WE'RE GOING THROUGH. >> YEAH, FIRST TIME GETS A
>> YEAH, FIRST TIME GETS A LITTLE HARD FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE
LITTLE HARD FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF MONTANA TO UNDERSTAND SCALE.
OF MONTANA TO UNDERSTAND SCALE. I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME FEDERAL
I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME FEDERAL GRANTS FROM FEMA ON THE LODGE
GRANTS FROM FEMA ON THE LODGE POLE FIRE I FINALLY SAID PUT IT
POLE FIRE I FINALLY SAID PUT IT IN CONTEXT, YOU MIGHT NOT THINK
IN CONTEXT, YOU MIGHT NOT THINK THERE'S THAT MANY PEOPLE BEING
THERE'S THAT MANY PEOPLE BEING IMPACTED.
IMPACTED. BUT THE SIZE OF THIS ONE FIRE IS
BUT THE SIZE OF THIS ONE FIRE IS SIX DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAS ALL
SIX DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAS ALL TOGETHER AND ALL ON FIRE.
TOGETHER AND ALL ON FIRE. AND I THINK THAT IT IS
AND I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT, I MEAN MY HEART HAS
IMPORTANT, I MEAN MY HEART HAS GONE OUT TO FOLKS IN HOUSTON AND
GONE OUT TO FOLKS IN HOUSTON AND THE SOUTH BECAUSE OF THE
THE SOUTH BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANES.
HURRICANES. BUT WE'RE A STATE OF 147,000
BUT WE'RE A STATE OF 147,000 SQUARE MILES.
SQUARE MILES. DANG NEAR EVERY CORNER AND PART
DANG NEAR EVERY CORNER AND PART OF THIS STATE WITH THE MAJOR
OF THIS STATE WITH THE MAJOR FIRES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.
FIRES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED. MONTANA SPENT MOST OF THE SUMMER
MONTANA SPENT MOST OF THE SUMMER WITH THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES
WITH THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES IN THE NATION.
IN THE NATION. I THINK THAT AS GOVERNOR, I
I THINK THAT AS GOVERNOR, I ALWAYS HOPE AND WANT MORE OUT OF
ALWAYS HOPE AND WANT MORE OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. I THINK THEY'VE HEARD US,
I THINK THEY'VE HEARD US, OVERALL CONCERNS.
OVERALL CONCERNS. AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO WORK
AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH THEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO
WITH THEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK BETTER, BOTH ON THE FUNDING
WORK BETTER, BOTH ON THE FUNDING AND HOW WE DEAL WITH THESE
AND HOW WE DEAL WITH THESE FIRES.
FIRES. >> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO
>> I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO BURN.
BURN. I SURE HOPE IT DON'T BUT IT'S
I SURE HOPE IT DON'T BUT IT'S COMING.
COMING. >> IF YOU WEREN'T HERE MY HOUSE
>> IF YOU WEREN'T HERE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN.
WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN. >> OVER THERE, YOU CAN SEE IT,
>> OVER THERE, YOU CAN SEE IT, IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN
IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE FLAMES.
REALLY SEE THE FLAMES. >> BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS
>> BECAUSE WE KNEW THE FIRE WAS COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW
COMING BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST.
FAST. >> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING
>> TODAY THE WIND WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT,
OUT OF THE EAST A LITTLE BIT, HELPED US.
HELPED US. IT WAS BLOWING LIKE THIS, LIKE
IT WAS BLOWING LIKE THIS, LIKE YESTERDAY, WE WOULD BE BURNED
YESTERDAY, WE WOULD BE BURNED OUT RIGHT NOW.
OUT RIGHT NOW. >> IRREPLACEABLE.
>> IRREPLACEABLE. YOU GO THROUGH, MAKE A LIST OF
YOU GO THROUGH, MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID LOSE.
EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID LOSE. >> WITHIN PROBABLY A MATTER OF
>> WITHIN PROBABLY A MATTER OF HALF AN HOUR, PRETTY SEG ANLT,
HALF AN HOUR, PRETTY SEG ANLT, PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION.
PRETTY FAST-MOVING SITUATION. >> BUT I AM THANKFUL AS HELL
>> BUT I AM THANKFUL AS HELL THAT YOU WERE HERE TO SAVE MY
THAT YOU WERE HERE TO SAVE MY HOUSE.
HOUSE. AND TO SAVE MY FRIENDS' HOUSES
AND TO SAVE MY FRIENDS' HOUSES OVER HERE.
OVER HERE. >> WELL YOUR APPRECIATION IS
>> WELL YOUR APPRECIATION IS VERY HEART-FELT.
VERY HEART-FELT. >> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR.
>> NEIGHBOR HELPS NEIGHBOR. ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY.
HOPEFULLY IT STAYS THAT WAY. >> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER
>> THE WAY FOLKS HELP EACH OTHER OUT, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED.
>> TO THE HUNDREDS OF MONTANANS WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE MTN
WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE MTN WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND WE SAY
WILDFIRE RELIEF FUND WE SAY THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEARLY TWO WEEKS SINCE LAUNCHING
NEARLY TWO WEEKS SINCE LAUNCHING THIS EFFORT, WE HAVE RAISED OVER
THIS EFFORT, WE HAVE RAISED OVER $200,000, AND IT'S GROWING.
$200,000, AND IT'S GROWING. I'D LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK
I'D LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK TO YOU THE BIGGEST DONORS, THE
TO YOU THE BIGGEST DONORS, THE MONTANA SKY RANCH FOUNDATION
MONTANA SKY RANCH FOUNDATION FUND, AND THE ARTHUR BLANK
FUND, AND THE ARTHUR BLANK FOUNDATION WHO ARE MATC
FOUNDATION WHO ARE MATC MATCHING 50-THOUSAND
MATCHING 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS... THE MONTANA SHIRT
DOLLARS... THE MONTANA SHIRT COMPANY HAS
MONTANA SHIRT COMPANY HAS
COMPANY HAS
GENEROUSLY GIVEN 25- THOUSAND DOLLARS, AMERICAN BANK IS IN
THOUSAND DOLLARS, AMERICAN BANK IS IN FOR 10 THOUSAND
AMERICAN BANK IS IN FOR 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS,AND THE
FOR 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS,AND THE SHOPKOFOUNDATION
DOLLARS,AND THE SHOPKOFOUNDATION HAS DONATED FIVE-
SHOPKOFOUNDATION HAS DONATED FIVE- THOUSAND DOLLARS.
HAS DONATED FIVE- THOUSAND DOLLARS. AND TO ALL THOSE WHO
THOUSAND DOLLARS. AND TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE STEPPED UP AND
AND TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE STEPPED UP AND HELPED THIS FIRE
HAVE STEPPED UP AND HELPED THIS FIRE SEASON... FROM THE
HELPED THIS FIRE SEASON... FROM THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO PUT
SEASON... FROM THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE
FIREFIGHTERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE... TO EVACUATION
THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE... TO EVACUATION
LINE... TO EVACUATION
SHELTERSTAFFERS... ANDTHOSE WHO'VE OPENED THEIR HOMES
ANDTHOSE WHO'VE OPENED THEIR HOMES TO ANIMALS FORCED TO
OPENED THEIR HOMES TO ANIMALS FORCED TO FLEE..
TO ANIMALS FORCED TO FLEE.. WE HERE AT Q2 NEWS
FLEE.. WE HERE AT Q2 NEWS AND THE COMMUNITY
WE HERE AT Q2 NEWS AND THE COMMUNITY THANK YOU...
AND THE COMMUNITY THANK YOU...
THANK YOU... ED MCINTOSH JOINING
ED MCINTOSH JOINING US -- WHERE WE LOOK AHEAD. HOPING, MANY
US -- WHERE WE LOOK AHEAD. HOPING, MANY
LOOKING FOR COOLER SUMMERS, WETTER SUMMERS, NOT NECESSARILY
WETTER SUMMERS, NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE EVERY YEAR.
THE CASE EVERY YEAR. >> THAT'S THE CASE.
>> THAT'S THE CASE. WE HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE
WE HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS.
WINTER MONTHS. AS WE START TO TAKE A LOOK.
AS WE START TO TAKE A LOOK. THIS TIME.
THIS TIME. YEAR WE ALWAYS START TALKING
YEAR WE ALWAYS START TALKING ABOUT EL NINO, AND LA NINA.
ABOUT EL NINO, AND LA NINA. THIS YEAR WE'RE STARTING OFF IN
THIS YEAR WE'RE STARTING OFF IN A NEUTRAL SITUATION WHICH MEANS
A NEUTRAL SITUATION WHICH MEANS WE DON'T HAVE ANY MAJOR
WE DON'T HAVE ANY MAJOR INFLUENCES GOING IN TO THE
INFLUENCES GOING IN TO THE SEASON.
SEASON. BUT THERE ARE SOME TRENLDZ
BUT THERE ARE SOME TRENLDZ TOWARDS LA NINA.
TOWARDS LA NINA. FOR OUR AREA, THAT'S GOOD NEWS
FOR OUR AREA, THAT'S GOOD NEWS AS FAR AS THE WILDFIRE SITUATION
AS FAR AS THE WILDFIRE SITUATION AND THE DROUGHT SITUATION.
AND THE DROUGHT SITUATION. THAT FAVORS HEAVIER SNOW AND
THAT FAVORS HEAVIER SNOW AND COLDER TERMS INTO THE LATE
COLDER TERMS INTO THE LATE WINTER.
WINTER. HERE'S THE LATEST LOOK FROM THE
HERE'S THE LATEST LOOK FROM THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER OF THE
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT ENOUGH OF
RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT ENOUGH OF AN INFLUENCE FOR THEM TO SAY
AN INFLUENCE FOR THEM TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ANY EXCEPTIONAL
THAT WE HAVE ANY EXCEPTIONAL RAIN AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES.
RAIN AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES. IT COULD BE WARMER, AVERAGE, OR
IT COULD BE WARMER, AVERAGE, OR COOLER THAN AVERAGE.
COOLER THAN AVERAGE. NOT ENOUGH OF AN INFLUENCE.
NOT ENOUGH OF AN INFLUENCE. THAT COULD BE KEY TO NEXT
THAT COULD BE KEY TO NEXT SPRING.
SPRING. REMEMBER, IF IT RUNS WARMER
REMEMBER, IF IT RUNS WARMER WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE AS MUCH
WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE AS MUCH MOUNTAIN SNOW AVAILABLE.
MOUNTAIN SNOW AVAILABLE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT PRECIPITATION,
WHEN YOU LOOK AT PRECIPITATION, RIGHT NOW, THIS IS JUST UPDATED
RIGHT NOW, THIS IS JUST UPDATED HERE LATE THIS WEEK, WE'RE
HERE LATE THIS WEEK, WE'RE LEANING TOWARDS A WETTER WINTER
LEANING TOWARDS A WETTER WINTER ACROSS MONTANA OVERALL.
ACROSS MONTANA OVERALL. WE HAVE ABOUT A 40% CHANCE OF
WE HAVE ABOUT A 40% CHANCE OF WETTER THAN AVERAGE CONDITIONS
WETTER THAN AVERAGE CONDITIONS IN THE DARKER SHADES, 33 PR IN
IN THE DARKER SHADES, 33 PR IN THE LIGHTER SHADED REGION.
THE LIGHTER SHADED REGION. OVERALL THAT'S PRETTY GOOD NEWS.
OVERALL THAT'S PRETTY GOOD NEWS. WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND WE STILL
WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND WE STILL HAVE THAT DROUGHT SITUATION
HAVE THAT DROUGHT SITUATION ACROSS THE REGION.
ACROSS THE REGION. WE REALLY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT
WE REALLY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT ABOVE AVERAGE PRECIPITATION JUST
ABOVE AVERAGE PRECIPITATION JUST TO OFFSET THE DAMAGE THAT'S
TO OFFSET THE DAMAGE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE A LOT OF TOP
ALREADY BEEN DONE A LOT OF TOP SOIL, SUB SOIL, WE HAVE TO MAKE
SOIL, SUB SOIL, WE HAVE TO MAKE UP AS WE START LOOKING INTO THE
UP AS WE START LOOKING INTO THE EARLY SPRING.
EARLY SPRING. AND REMEMBER, DUSTIN, WE STARTED
AND REMEMBER, DUSTIN, WE STARTED OFF WITH PRETTY GOOD SNOWPACK
OFF WITH PRETTY GOOD SNOWPACK THIS YEAR AND THEN EVERYTHING
THIS YEAR AND THEN EVERYTHING CHANGED AS WE STARTED GETTING
CHANGED AS WE STARTED GETTING LATER INTO THE SEASON.
LATER INTO THE SEASON. NEXT SEASON, WE'RE STILL LOOKING
NEXT SEASON, WE'RE STILL LOOKING AHEAD TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN
AHEAD TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE EARLY SPRING.
THE EARLY SPRING. >> WE CAN LEARN A LOT.
>> WE CAN LEARN A LOT. A LOT OF PEOPLE MENDING MONTANA.
A LOT OF PEOPLE MENDING MONTANA. LET'S KEEP MENDING MONTANA
LET'S KEEP MENDING MONTANA TOGETHER.
TOGETHER. THANKS FOR JOINING US.
THANKS FOR JOINING US. ¶
¶ ¶
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