Just after 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Missoula Rural Fire was dispatched to a possible structure fire near Neil Drive in Lolo. The caller reported hearing a loud ‘pop’ and a power line had fallen causing smoke and flames.

However, while crews were responding, the dispatch was changed to a wildland fire with structures in the area being threatened.

Crews arrived at the Mill Creek and Thayer Road area where a wildfire driven by gusty winds was threatening several homes.

KMMS-KPRK 1450 AM logo
Get our free mobile app

Several agencies joined Missoula Rural Fire to battle the fast-moving blaze, including DNRC, (Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) Forest Service, Florence Fire, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, BLM (Bureau of Land Management), and Missoula Electric Co-op.

There were ten fire engines on the scene and three DNRC helicopters battling the fire, which was quickly contained and limited to 10 acres in tall grass and forested areas.

DNRC crews stayed overnight to monitor the blaze and no structures were lost. No injuries were reported even though the firefighters were laboring in full gear in record heat.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

The National Weather Service Office in Missoula also reported to us early Monday morning that high-temperature records were set over the weekend.

Meteorologist Luke Robinson said high-temperature records were set on both Friday and Sunday.

“Here in Missoula yesterday we broke a record,” began Robinson. “We reached 104 degrees, and that broke the record of 102 which was set last year. The day before yesterday, we broke a record. We reached 102, and that broke a record of 100 set in 2000.”

Robinson also provided an update on some major fires burning in western Montana and Idaho.

“We had a wildfire that started this weekend near Elmo, Montana, southwest of Dayton on the west side of Flathead Lake,” he said. “The really warm and dry conditions and winds gusting up to 20 miles per hour allowed that fire to really spread quickly. It continues to grow and is very active.”

Robinson also provided an update on a very large fire burning to the west of Missoula in Idaho.

“We have the Moose fire which is burning just north of Salmon which has been burning for the last several days in really hot and dry conditions in that area has allowed the fire to continue to grow, as well,” he said. “Last I heard, it was over 40,000 acres in size."

With the hot and dry conditions, all fire agencies urge those recreating to be extremely careful with fire.

After Sunday’s fire near Lolo, Missoula Rural Fire specifically asked residents to create a defensible space around their homes and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...