montana mike
Conductor
8-12 Update: The Thompson fire has now grown to over 11,000 acres (in just two days). While it is North of US 2 and the BNSF tracks by about 8 miles, we know the railroad is watching this closely because of the possibility that the fire could eventually effect BNSF operations. We could see the massive smoke plume in Whitefish yesterday afternoon, and we are 30 miles away from the fire! Currently the fire is totally uncontrolled and because of the rugged and steep terrain there is not a lot the fire fighters can do to put it out. In off the record comments one firefighter shared he said that the winter snows will be the main factor that puts this fire out as they do not have the manpower or the ability to stop this fire from spreading. Anyone who has visited the southern part of GNP will understand his comments. It is mountainous terrain (8-10 thousand foot peaks, no roads, few trails and very heavily forested).
More dry T-storms are forecasted over the next several days with little relief expected from the heat (90-100) and very low humidity.
More dry T-storms are forecasted over the next several days with little relief expected from the heat (90-100) and very low humidity.