Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

HAMILTON- Ravalli County commissioners are expected to enact burn bans Tuesday in an effort to cut the risk as they're faced with the rising danger of wildfires in the Bitterroot Valley..

Ravalli County was under a Red Flag Warning Monday as temperatures soared to the upper 90s to over 100 degrees. That's drying out the Bitterroot National Forest at a furious pace, and afternoon lightning strikes are also producing the threat of a major fire start. In the valley, brush and grass are also drying out.

Ravalli County commissioners will meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss the details of burning restrictions, and we should learn whether that will be a complete ban on all burning, or a "staged" approach where only some activities are limited.

Commissioner Suzy Foss said Monday she was getting calls all weekend from people asking why the county hadn't taken action. And she told Montana's News Station the commissioners intend to remedy that situation during a discussion set for 2 p.m. Tuesday.

One large wildfire is already burning in the Bitterroot as crews try to battle the Chrandal Creek fire that's burning 90 acres about 10 miles from Painted Rocks Reservoir.