Local WSIU
(2008-08-14)
relatively calm wildfire season so far this summer. Wyoming State Forester Bill Crapser and Montana State Forester
Bob Harrington report fewer fires and less acreage burned this year.
They cite good late spring and early summer moisture and fewer dry lightning storms.
Crapser says there was little fire activity in the state until
mid-July. Normally, the fire season starts in mid-June.
Montana State forester Bob Harrington says the state has spent
only about $2 million fighting wildfires this year compared to
spending some $50 million last year. In 2007, Montana had to call a
special legislative session to deal with its firefighting costs.
However, there's still time for fires this summer as the fire
season in both states typically runs through September.
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