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Wildland Firefighters

Few things in Missoula conjure the romanticism and heroism of the smokejumper.

New West photo intern Scott Poniewaz spent five weeks documenting the rookie training program of these eleite firefighters, and the result was a spectacular photo essay on this extraordinary occupation. Click here for the photo essay, and click the "more" button below to read Scott's story. [more]

Fire Report

A 300-acre fire at Frog Pond, about 25 miles southwest of Philipsburg, Mont., heated things up for firefighters as well as a few homeowners Friday. According to the Northern Rockies Coordination Center, a total of 12 structures are currently threatened, mostly cabins.

The fire has forced some Bitterroot National Forest Trail closures, though the fire actually sits in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. A Type II incident management crew took command early this morning following yesterday's initial attack efforts, according to the NRCC.

In other fire news, the Baker Fire, near Plains, Mont. is nearing suppression. According to the NRCC, it was 99% contained by late last night and expected to be completely contained by later today. Demobilization of crews and engines continues and creeping surface fires and smoldering stump holes are still present. Rehabilitation of fire lines has begun by many of the 346 people that still remain on the fire. The estimated cost of the 2,333 acre Baker fire to date stands at $936,455.

Update: The Frog Pond fire apparently is holding at 300 acres and the structure areas are being prepared with helicopter water drops in the event that fire should further threaten them. A spot fire jumped 0.75 miles, but was contained by air attack crews, who seem to be playing a key role in this fire due to the difficult terrain in the area. Type I and II initial attack crews are continuing to do line construction through the terrain.

Also, it must be noted that a small fire ignited and was quickly suppressed Sunday afternoon on Blue Mountain. According to Sharon Sweeney at the Lolo National Forest, it was likely human caused, but is still under investigation.

Stage 1 Restrictions in Effect

With Stage 1 fire restrictions kicking into effect today, the fires are also beginning to close in on Missoula. According to the Bitterroot National Forest, two thunderstorm-related fires were ignited last night southwest of Darby. One fire was near Indian Creek Campground by Stuart Creek, the other is near Wapiti Creek. The fires are fairly remote, and for the moment one is reported at about one acre while the size of the other is unkown. With several small fires around the Bitterroot, crews are keeping a little busy in the area. According to a discussion I had yesterday with Tim Eldridge, who does media relations at the Missoula Smokejumper Center, the fires are expecting to get bigger in the near future.

The type 1 fire restrictions, which are now in effect for both the Bitterroot and Lolo National Forests, mean no campfires among other things. Take a look at the regulations here for specific information: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Remember, New West is your source for breaking fire news, so keep posted. Also keep an eye out for a special fire package coming Monday. [more]

Community Chatter

Word on the street seems to show that Missoula supports the State, EPA, Arco and Northwestern Energy's solution for the removal of the Milltown Dam. We stopped at Caras Park this week to hear what Missoula had to say about the solution and what the next environmental problem they thought should be addressed in Montana. [more]

Trippin' With Scott

With the public hearing on the Bitterroot Resort Thurdsday and the fact that I’m going on my fifth year in Missoula and still haven’t climbed it, I figured this week would be a perfect one to summit the peak that looks over the Garden City -- none other than Lolo Peak, which stands in the midst of yet another development debate in Missoula. [more]

Trippin' With Scott

Big Creek Lake is the largest alpine lake in the Bitterroot Mountains and dumps its water into Big Creek. With such a generic name one would think the hike would be just another hike in the Bitterroot, as we found, this hike is anything but that with black bear, moose and a trail tucked into a beautiful canyon. Read on and take an overnight trip with Scott into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness this week. [more]

Subdivisions Ahoy

Missoula is growing fast - sometimes so fast that you hardly notice until suddenly there's a subdivison where a hayfield used to be. So we thought it worthwhile to map it out, with pictures. When you click the "more" botton below you'll find our new interactive map of housing development in Missoula; click on a particular subdivison to see what's happening there today. We've tried to include all approved subdivisons of more than ten houses, let us know if you think we've missed one. Whether you think these kinds of developments are good or bad or simply inevitable, it makes sense for us all at least to see what's going in where. [more]

Trippin' With Scott

Last week we took you canoeing on the Clearwater River. This week I had planned on rafting the Blackfoot for an overnight trip, but things changed and so did my plans for this week's adventure. I struggled for a trip idea as I feared the weather wouldn't be good Sunday, but I quickly remembered one of my favorites and headed back up to the Seeley Lake area. I’ve done the hike a few times, and it's an especially good one for out-of-town visitors. [more]

Market Fresh

When you need your veggies on a Saturday, you go to the Missoula Farmers Market,
when you need your arts and crafts, its the People’s Market, but until
this week there hasn’t been a place to get your meat. This Saturday marked
the kickoff to the Clark Fork River Market, which featured about 20 vendors
offering everything from flowers to sausage.

Trippin' With Scott

Missoula has so many recreational activities in its surrounding area that it's
tough to keep tabs on them, let alone find them sometimes. There are the classics that
most people know: rafting Alberton Gorge, fishing Rock Creek or the Bitterroot,
floating the Blackfoot on an inner tube, climbing or hiking in Blodgett and
Kootenai Canyons. These are the standard adventures Missoulian’s know
like the back of their hands, which is why we at New West are going to take
it a step further by doing the research and testing some of the lesser known
opportunities and give you the goods on new places to recreate.

This week we’ll start out with the Clearwater River Trail located about
an hour north of Missoula just past Seeley Lake. Tucked into the Swan Valley
with the expansive Bob Marshall Wilderness area to the east. The trail is an excellent
opportunity for a tranquil float on the slowly meandering Clearwater River in either a canoe or a kayak.
Being quick and easy, it makes for a great afternoon escape. [more]

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