Montana News Roundup: Banana Lake Fire & Biscuit Basin Blowup

Fire managers say they're taking a "full suppression" mode to stop the Banana Lake Fire in Sanders County, which has consumed just short of 1000 acres, making it the largest blaze in Montana this season.

The Western Montana Incident Management team took over the blaze on Monday morning, launching a direct attack on the fire when conditions allow. That includes building fire line and dealing with spotting along the northern and eastern flanks of the blaze.

There are no evacuations or closures, although the fire area itself is closed to the public.

     ⚠️ There are speed restrictions in effect along Highway 28 north of Plains around Rainbow Lake.

MORE COVERAGE: New Fire Erupts Near Plains

DNRC fully funded for firefighting

The head of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation believes the state is well prepared for what's shaping up to be an active fire season, saying legislative funding support is key to that readiness.

Speaking at Governor Gianforte's annual fire briefing yesterday, DNRC Director Amanda Kaster says House Bill 127, approved this past session, provided critical funding to improve the state's wildfire response. She says that includes better tech to track fires, equipment to fight them, and forest management.

"These efforts are only made possible through coordination and cooperation with our local, state, and federal partners."-  DNRC Director Amanda Kaster

And it's a good thing, too. Predictive Services Meteorologist Dan Borsum says Montana is still on track with a hot, dry summer, with the risk of significant fires kicking in by July west of the Divide, and in August further east, due largely to the early arrival of hot weather, limited snowpack, and the ongoing drought.

     Borsum says many of the counties in Western Montana are coming into this summer "missing" 8 to 16" of moisture over the past 3 years.

More Montana measles reported… now 3 counties

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services says the number of measles cases in Montana is continuing to grow this week. And while the total is still small, it shows cases popping up in BOTH large and small counties.

DPHHS says there are now 15 cases of known measles, all Montana residents, with 2 patients hospitalized. Gallatin County has the most, with 10, with 2 cases in the Flathead, and now, 3 cases in Hill County, where health officials are recommending vaccines for all residents and travelers.

     The state says only Hill County is covered with that "early and accelerated" vaccination recommendation for children, and adults who've only had one MMR dose.

Biscuit Basin's latest blow-up caught on video

A new video showing a small eruption at Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park is emphasizing WHY the park is keeping the geothermal area closed to the public this summer.

     How many earthquakes are there, on average in Yellowstone each year? Answer below ⤵️

The video from USGS Volcanoes, shows the burst of hot mud and water shooting about 15 feet in the air before falling back into the pool. Geologists say the eruption happened just after 8:30 on Saturday night and was captured by the new webcam installed just last month.

Researchers are using the camera to capture additional activity in the wake of the major eruption at Biscuit last July.

Montana Tuesday Trivia

According to USGS researchers, there are 1500 to 2500 earthquakes in, and around Yellowstone every year.