Montana News Roundup: Sorrow, no answers for firefighter ambush

Governor Greg Gianforte says there "are no words" to describe the actions of the man who started a fire in North Idaho, lying in wait and then opening fire on the responders, killing two of the firefighters and injuring a third.

Appearing on Montana Talks just hours after the frightening situation had been resolved, Gianforte was calling the incident "absolutely tragic" and a terrible thing to happen to first responders.

"On our worst day they're running towards the problem, to protect us, our property, our forests," Gianforte said. "My hats off to all our heroic firefighters, what they've done."

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, in Montana to sign a landmark forest management agreement yesterday said the shooting happened on Forest Service land outside Coeur d'Alene.

     -Schultz said the ambush is simply "unexplainable."

"We are extremely appreciatIVe for their sacrifice. And our hearts and prayers go out to their families." USFS Chief Tom Schulz.

No motive found for firefighter ambush

Authorities in Coeur d'Alene are still trying to piece together a motive for the Sunday shooting, in which shooter Wes Roley started the blaze and then opened fire when first responders arrived.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris says local law enforcement had a few minor contacts with Roley, who may have been living in his car, but haven't been able to find evidence of any previous criminal record.

He says there have been some indications Roley may have wanted to be a firefighter at one point, but they haven't been able to find a record of him applying with any local agencies.

     -They do know he acted alone, and took his own life as officers were closing in.

The victims of the shooting are veteran firefighters. Coeur d' Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison, a 52-year old who'd been with the department almost 29-years, and Frank Harwood, a Battalion Chief with the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue for 17-years.

Fire danger, along with fireworks, increasing fire risk

Fire danger, and fireworks are on the minds of departments here in Montana, as temperatures will be spiking just days before the 4th of July.

There have already been an increase in the number of smaller fires, especially grass fires since the weekend. That included a 7-acre fire east of Florence, and another fire north if Hamilton, a new fire up the West Fork of the Bitterroot, and another small fire on the Powder River just since Monday afternoon.

Time to stay cool, and stay safe in Montana

No heat advisories in place for Montana, as there are in Idaho. But National Weather Service forecasters are advising people to stay hydrated, and take it easy outdoors as temperatures soar into the mid and upper 90s in many locations today. That's a solid 30-degrees hotter than a week ago.

     -Havre and the HiLine could take the "frying pan award", hitting close to 100 Wednesday. There's also a growing of threat of thunderstorms and strong winds.

Paying more at the Montana pump

Nick Chestenson reports Montana has prices going up again… with nearly a nickel-a-gallon increase in the past week. GasBuddy.com finds the average price is now $3.28 a gallon for regular. That 9-cents more than the start of June, but still 15-cents cheaper than last summer.

     -We're still a long ways off the bargain prices of a decade ago, which were at $2.78 a gallon.