People Caused Most Montana Fires Again This Year
This year’s fire season is winding down. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reports only one new small fire in the past 24 hours. There are currently 28 active fires—the lowest number in several weeks. People caused 863 fires this year, while the cause of another 600 remains undetermined.
Montana Drought Continues as First Frost Hits
The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show that Southwest Montana is still in “Severe Drought,” while Cascade County and the Rocky Mountain Front remain in “Moderate Drought.” Eastern Montana continues to show normal conditions. This morning brought a touch of frost to the higher valleys of Western Montana, and temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in some areas, such as the Upper Blackfoot Valley.
U.S. Health and Human Services Dispatches 70+ Health Officers to Tribal Communities
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday it is sending more than 70 health officers to Indian Health Service facilities across the country. Some of them will support IHS facilities in Crow Agency and Browning, ensuring that Montanans living on reservations have access to high-quality medical care and services. According to the department, staffing shortages have undermined its ability to meet demand, leaving patients without consistent access to care.
Gas Prices See Their Biggest Drop of 2025
Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 4.1 cents per gallon in the last week—the biggest drop of 2025 so far. Prices are now 3.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 11 cents lower than a year ago. According to GasBuddy.com, Montana is currently ranked 14th in the U.S. for average gas prices, down two spots from last week.
Montanans at Work Statewide Tour Begins
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Montanans at Work Statewide Tour kicked off in Missoula on Monday. Over the next six weeks, staff will visit 15 communities to talk with businesses, workers, educators, and community members about important workforce initiatives.
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Caregivers are now offering inpatient dialysis services at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital in Butte. The treatment for patients with kidney failure often requires sessions at least three times a week, each lasting several hours. The new service is welcome news for patients who previously had to travel long distances.
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Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena is still dealing with lasting impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted bed availability and staffing. Shodair has now received $2.3 million from the Internal Revenue Service through Employee Retention Credits, which will help the hospital better serve patients and their families.
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The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest will begin prescribed fire operations this week, pending all required approvals. Work will continue through mid-October as weather conditions allow. Prescribed fires are used to reduce overgrown vegetation and help protect communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires.
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Billings Logan International Airport has maintained municipal governance for decades, but that changed Monday evening when the City Council approved hiring a consultant to facilitate the transition to an airport authority. The airport is moving toward exceeding one million passengers annually and is currently the 55th busiest cargo airport in the nation.
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The University of Montana is celebrating American Indian Heritage Day this week with themed events leading up to the statewide holiday on Friday. Montana has celebrated the day on the last Friday of September since 1997, and 2025 marks the 28th year UM is hosting celebrations on campus. Events include a sunrise ceremony and a craft fair.
