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2022 recap: Quiet wildfire season finished with $52M price tag

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2022 recap: Quiet wildfire season finished with $52M price tag



The ultimate price of Montana’s wildfire suppression efforts in 2022 got here in at $52 million, with almost 125,000 acres burned statewide in what was a comparatively subdued season.

Because of early summer season moisture and a later begin, the season mirrored the previous few years of wildfire in Montana and the Flathead — unusual.

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In response to the Montana Division of Pure Sources and Conservation (DNRC), 2,063 fires burned 124,997 acres all through Montana this yr. About 44% of these fires had been human brought on. Air high quality rankings statewide primarily stayed between “average” and “unhealthy for delicate teams.”

On the Flathead Nationwide Forest, there have been 47 fireplace begins in 2022 and 10,871 acres burned, in line with Rick Connell, a fireplace administration officer who focuses on the Flathead Nationwide Forest. This is a rise in injury in comparison with 2021 and 2020, the place 3,754 acres and 5,428 acres burned, respectively. In response to Connell, the previous 5 years have constantly been common or beneath common seasons.

One notable fireplace in 2022 close to Flathead County was the Elmo Hearth west of Flathead Lake, which was detected July 29 and burned 21,349 acres. Though native volunteer fireplace departments and the Missoula Smokejumpers responded rapidly, the hearth grew considerably within the first few hours. Excessive temperatures and robust winds pushed the hearth north and east, requiring evacuations. Eight constructions had been misplaced, together with 4 main residences.

General, this yr’s fireplace season was “comparatively small,” in line with Julia Berkey, the neighborhood preparedness and wildlife prevention program supervisor on the DNRC. Spring rains lasted longer, serving to to stop a much bigger season.

Consultants typically attribute the rise in fireplace depth over latest years to local weather change, Connell stated, however he added that forest fireplace has cycled by means of phases for the reason that starting of time.

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Within the Flathead space, in accordance to a knowledge set curated by Connell, 1,233,000 acres burned from 1889-1930. Nevertheless, solely 40,000 acres burned between 1930 and 1979. From 1980-2018, a rise was seen once more: 1,076,716 acres.

Nationally, there was a rise in wildland fireplace depth previously few many years. In response to the Nationwide Interagency Hearth Heart, almost 7.5 million acres burned in 2022 throughout the U.S., which is above the 10-year common.

Within the context of bigger traits and the absence of dependable, historic fireplace knowledge, nonetheless, it’s arduous to attribute the rise in wildfires to international warming alone. To many firefighters and specialists, wildfire is a pure recycler.

“Fires have at all times been within the panorama right here and so they at all times might be,” stated Lincoln Chute, the Flathead County fireplace warden. Vegetation within the Flathead Valley has grown up and tailored with fireplace as a disturbance.

“If there was no one right here, there would nonetheless be fireplace,” Connell stated.

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On the finish of December, DNRC reported having spent simply over $16 million on fireplace suppression. DNRC had a $54 million finances for fireplace suppression at first of the fiscal yr, which started on July 1.

In 2022, complete fireplace prices in Montana completed at over $52 million. The upcoming legislative session this subsequent January will decide the company’s 2023 wildlife finances.

Firstly of the season, Gov. Greg Gianforte stated he would prioritize an aggressive preliminary suppression technique, stating that Montana wouldn’t let fires burn. Gianforte additionally elevated the bottom hourly pay charge for seasonal firefighters by $1.70 to $15.50. The DNRC is at the moment in a hiring section, guaranteeing that employees is prepared for subsequent season.

As for what 2023 will deliver, Connell stated it’s arduous to foretell what sort of season the state may have. When folks ask that query, Connell asks them in return what coloration the tomatoes might be in the summertime — nobody is aware of. It’s the similar with wildfires.

“Mom Nature bats final,” Connell stated.

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Reporter Kate Heston might be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com



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Montana

National park tourist dies after being swept over waterfall: officials

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National park tourist dies after being swept over waterfall: officials


A young woman from Pennsylvania died at Glacier National Park after she was swept over a waterfall, park officials say.

The 26-year-old fell into the water near St. Mary Falls at around 5:20 p.m. on Sunday, according to officials. The waterfall, which is located in Glacier County, Montana, is around 35 feet tall.

After falling, the woman was washed over the waterfall and was trapped underwater for several minutes.

Bystanders at the park quickly assisted and brought the woman out of the water before first responders arrived. Bystanders also administered CPR on the woman before park rangers and ambulance personnel took over.

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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK EMPLOYEE TARGETED IN BRUTAL RAPE INCIDENT: OFFICIALS

A young woman from Pennsylvania died after falling into a creek near St. Mary Falls in Montana. (iStock)

The Pennsylvania resident was declared dead at around 7 p.m. that night. Glacier National Park says that the woman’s death is being investigated.

“The park extends their deepest condolences to family and friends of the woman and asks that the public respect their privacy,” the park’s statement added.

YELLOWSTONE TOURIST SENTENCED TO 7 DAYS IN JAIL OVER ‘DANGEROUS’ CAUGHT-ON-CAMERA INCIDENT

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St Mary Falls at Glacier National Park

St. Mary Falls, located in Glacier National Park, has a height of around 35 feet. (iStock)

Drowning and falls are top causes of death at Glacier National Park. Last year, a 28-year-old woman from Kansas died after falling into one of the park’s creeks.

In 2017, a visitor taking photos fell into a creek at the park and was swept off a steep cliff. The 26-year-old man, who fell around 100 feet, was pronounced dead.

Glacier National Park sign

Glacier National Park is located in Montana. (Getty Images)

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Authorities are actively investigating the incident. There is no additional information at this time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Montana SupCo Affirms Decision to Shutter Whistle Stop Retreat – Flathead Beacon

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Montana SupCo Affirms Decision to Shutter Whistle Stop Retreat – Flathead Beacon


The Montana Supreme Court in a decision earlier this month upheld a Flathead County District Court ruling that shuttered a property on the west shore of Lake Five, known as the Whistle Stop Retreat, in 2022.

The latest decision in the lawsuit, first filed in 2020, affirmed the district court’s ruling that Flathead County erroneously granted a Major Land-Use Permit for a guest cabin development off Grizzly Spur Road in West Glacier.

“The County abused its discretion by failing to consider the restrictive easements on Grizzly Spur Road as required,” according to the opinion.

The 23.1-acre lakeshore property, owned by Susan Dietz and operated as G&M Trust, has several buildings spread across two tracts of land, including a single-family home, three guest cabins, a replica train caboose and fire watchtower. The retreat was operated as a short-term rental business, with several buildings listed on AirBnB.

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Dietz requested the permit to construct a barn with living quarters, a pavilion and several additional guest rental cabins. Despite the Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee recommendation that the permit be denied due to concerns over legal access to the property, the Flathead County planning board and county commission approved the application.

A nonprofit group, Friends of Lake Five Inc. (FLFI), sued the county in district court alleging the permit was in violation of Montana Administrative Procedure Act, the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, the Montana Lakeshore Protection Act and the Montana Constitution. The neighborhood group noted that several buildings on the property had already been constructed or renovated without proper permitting, and easement restrictions on the access road prevented commercial use of the land.

A primary point of contention with the permit revolved around whether Grizzly Spur Road provided legal access for nonresidents to use the property. Under the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System (CALURS), which regulates land use near West Glacier, the County Commission must consider whether developments comply with all access and road standards. Grizzly Spur Road is subject to several private easements dating back to the 1990s which limit access to residential use.

Dietz argued, however, that a 2019 amendment to CALURS redefined “residential use” to include short-term rentals, therefore allowing her to continue to operate Whistle Stop Retreat. The district court disagreed, stating “G&M provides no evidence or argument that would indicate that the drafters of the 1997 easement agreements understood the term “residential” to include short-term rentals,” and that under CALURS, “the provision setting the greater restriction or higher standard shall apply.”

District Court Judge Amy Eddy revoked the permit in a March 2022 ruling, which Dietz subsequently appealed to the Montana Supreme Court.

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In addition to revoking the permit, Eddy granted a permanent injunction preventing any future construction or expansion of the property, any commercial use including overnight resort accommodations without “obtaining legal access and compliance” with state and local regulation, and required Dietz to restore the property to its “previous unaltered condition.”

In their opinion, the Montana Supreme Court affirmed Eddy’s order revoking the permit, granting the permanent injunction and awarding attorneys’ fees. However, the court reversed the requirement that G&M Trust restore the property to its previous unaltered condition.

“Although the District Court was correct in its determination that the G&M Property may not be used for commercial purposes, the authority upon which the District Court relied for ordering restoration of the property to its original condition is not readily apparent … Accordingly, we hold that the District Court erred,” according to the opinion.

The attorneys’ fees and general costs Dietz owes FLFI amount to $43,053 and $1,878, respectively, according to court filings. Flathead County settled with FLFI over attorneys fees in May 2022, paying the group $47,000.

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Bozeman's Duncan Hamilton surges to sixth-place finish in 3,000-meter steeplechase at U.S. Olympic Trials

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Bozeman's Duncan Hamilton surges to sixth-place finish in 3,000-meter steeplechase at U.S. Olympic Trials


EUGENE, Ore. — Bozeman’s Duncan Hamilton surged over the final 1,000 meters Sunday to run to a sixth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals at the U.S. Olympic Team Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field.

Hamilton, a Montana State alum now with the Nike/Bowerman Track Club, finished the race in 8:29.20 to finish just outside the top five.

He stayed near the back of a tight pack throughout much of the race and entered the final 1,000 meters in 13th place. But he was one of only four racers — joining winner Kenneth Rooks, second-place Matthew Wilkinson and third-place James Corrigan — to run the final 1,000 meters in less than 2:40. Hamilton ran the final 1,000 meters in 2:39.06 to climb seven places.

Rooks, running for Nike, pulled away on the final lap to win in 8:21.92, running the final 1,000 meters in 2:33.63. Wilkinson, an Under Armour/Dark Sky Distance runner, was second at 8:23.00, and Corrigan, who just completed his sophomore year at BYU, was third at 8:26.78.

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Hamilton qualified for the steeplechase finals by placing eighth in his heat and 13th overall in Friday’s prelims.

Here is a schedule of events still remaining for Montana athletes (* indicates athletes must qualify):

Monday, June 24

Men’s 110-meter hurdles, first round, 6:05 p.m. — Derrick Olsen, Helena (Montana State)

Thursday, June 27

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*Men’s 110-meter hurdles, semifinals, 6:01 p.m. — Derrick Olsen, Helena (Montana State)

Women’s 1,500-meter run, first round, 6:23 p.m. — Dani Aragon, Billings (Notre Dame), and Christina Aragon, Billings (Stanford)

Men’s 400-meter hurdles, first round, 7:20 p.m. — Drake Schneider, Eau Claire, Wis. (Montana State)

Friday, June 28

Women’s javelin, quarterfinals, 5 p.m. — Alysa Keller, Billings (BYU)

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*Women’s 1,500-meter run, semifinals, 6:58 p.m. — Dani Aragon, Billings (Notre Dame), and Christina Aragon, Billings (Stanford)

*Men’s 400-meter hurdles, semifinals, 7:21 p.m. — Drake Schneider, Eau Claire, Wis. (Montana State)

*Men’s 110-meter hurdles, finals, 8:50 p.m. — Derrick Olsen, Helena (Montana State)

Sunday, June 30

*Women’s javelin, finals, 5:10 p.m. — Alysa Keller, Billings (BYU)

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*Women’s 1,500-meter run, finals, 6:09 p.m. — Dani Aragon, Billings (Notre Dame), and Christina Aragon, Billings (Stanford)

*Men’s 400-meter hurdles, finals, 6:20 p.m. — Drake Schneider, Eau Claire, Wis. (Montana State)





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