Montana News Roundup: Scrambling to Comment on Forest Road Change

Should some 6 million acres of Montana backcountry be removed from the so-called Roadless Area rule, a policy adopted during the Clinton Administration to protect forest lands from roadbuilding and timber harvest?

It's a complicated question, with the clock already running on a move by the Trump Administration to rescind the Roadless Area rules, potentially impacting some 58 million acres of public land.

Friday marked the start of public comment on the move, which was only announced in mid-June by U-S Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

     🌲 Those comments are due by September 19th.

Record heat baking NW Montana

If you think Montana has been too "chilly" this summer, you might want to drive out to the Kootenai Valley this week, as both Troy and Libby are deep into record temperature territory.

The numbers aren't official yet, but the equipment at the Libby Ranger Station showed 101 degrees on Tuesday, which is just short of the 102-degree record set in 1998. Troy, which sits at the bottom of that "bowl," was even hotter, showing an unofficial high of 104. If that's verified, it will easily eclipse the 97-degree record, also from 1998. Libby will have to top 102 today to tie the daily record from 1950. But Troy will likely break the record of 100 degrees from 2003, with a forecast high of 105. A heat advisory remains in place for the Kootenai-Cabinet and the Lower Clark Fork through today.

Smoke continues to blanket Montana

Smoke will continue to persist across the state today, although most locations are only experiencing "moderate" air quality impacts. That's the point where some people who are sensitive to smoke might start to have some problems.

But being downwind of all that smoke is a problem in Northeast Montana. Air quality in Glendive and Sidney hit "unhealthy for sensitive groups" several times yesterday.

     💨 Cut Bank was also hitting that mark for most of Tuesday.

Fishing closures lifted on these two rivers

While air temperatures haven't cooled off significantly, except overnight, the Montana FWP says river temperatures are starting to recover, which will allow the lifting of some of the complete fishing restrictions that have persisted for most of the summer.

The entire Jefferson River, from the confluence of the Big Hole and the Beaverhead, and the Madison upriver from Hebgen Reservoir, including three short sections above the Yellowstone Park boundary, will switch back to "hoot owl" fishing restrictions, which means no afternoon and evening fishing. Those rivers had been completely shut down since mid-July.

More Cascade detention officers in trouble

Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter is promising "transparency" as the county sorts through two more cases where corrections officers are facing criminal charges.

Corrections Officer Joshua Yellow Owl was arrested early Sunday morning for partner/family member assault. Slaughter also announced yesterday that detention officer Breana Rowe is facing charges after being arrested for DUI last week.

"These allegations are shocking and unacceptable. Domestic violence is a crime that will never be tolerated in Cascade County, regardless of who commits it. The sheriff's office will hold its staff accountable for misconduct or criminal behavior." -Cascade Co Sheriff Jesse Slaughter

These are the second and third incidents involving criminal charges against an officer from the jail. Another officer was arrested last month for making threats while armed. Great Falls Police are handling the investigations.

Windy Rock Fire continues slow growth

The Windy Rock Fire in Powell County was more active again yesterday in the heat, and with some gusty winds, driving the blaze over the 4000-acre mark. Fire teams are continuing to work to build lines on the fires, with hopes of "firing operations" to remove additional fuel in a controlled manner when the conditions allow.

Belgrade is now home to EV maker

Montana is now in the electric vehicle business, with Rivian opening a new 20,000 square foot facility in Belgrade. Riven is being billed as the "first electric vehicle manufacturer to invest in Montana." Earlier reports had indicated the location would be used as a service center for Rivian's SUVs and trucks, which are built in Illinois.

Governor Gianforte was at the ribbon-cutting last week, saying it would open the door for more "good-paying jobs" for Montanans. Rivian representative Aubrey Coleman said the company chose the Gallatin Valley site because of the "region's thriving economy", proximity to the airport, and how Montana fits with the company's focus on adventure vehicles.