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Will this year’s snowpack help fire season in Montana?

Posted at 5:32 PM, Mar 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-01 13:38:45-05
Winter fire Season
Just because the state has heavy snowpack doesn’t mean this fire season will be any better. (MTN News photo)

KALISPELL – With the heavy snowfall around Montana, will this wet winter help our fire season?

Flathead County Fire Service Area Manager Lincoln Chute says that last month was one of the wettest February’s Montana has seen.

However, just because the state has heavy snowpack doesn’t mean this fire season will be any better. He told MTN News that while the ground is still wet with snow, folks should start preparing their homes now for fire season.

“People should be doing some of that defensible space. Limbing some of those trees up, doing some of that stuff. And then if it does dry out and we have a fire season, you’re much more ready and you’re much more prepared,” Chute said.

He added that people should hope for heavy rain and high humidity this spring for a calmer fire season.

Story by Maren Siu – MTN News