Montana Governor declares a statewide emergency
By Tyler King
HELENA, Montana: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer declared a statewide emergency due to extreme fire conditions throughout the state. The declaration, signed on August 29, allows Schweitzer to authorize the use of state resources and the Montana National Guard to protect life, health, and property.
Schweitzer said in a statement that every precaution must be taken because there is no definitive end in sight for the above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Evacuations have been ordered in parts of Jefferson, Stillwater, and Carbon counties as the wildfires threatened homes in those areas. Governor Schweitzer said the fire season could last through the end of September or later.