200+ Lightning Strikes Reported Near Missoula Following Storm

As Western Montana cleans up after the epic severe thunderstorm that saw winds reportedly over 100 mph. With traffic lights down, power needing to be restored, there was also another aspect to the storm that may cause more problems, and that is the lightning.

It may be a day or two before we see the full extent of the fires that could start from the severe thunderstorm we experienced. The Discover Bitterroot National Forest posted on Facebook that there were over 200 lightning strikes in the Bitterroot National Forest from the storm, with a fire start that is being fought quickly. See below:

Montana Fire Danger Levels

With fire danger levels in certain areas of Montana at "Very High" and in some places "Extreme", the lightning isn't going to help. If you see smoke that you think can be a fire you should call 911 and report it immediately.

The Montana Fire Information website is reporting that there has been 29 new fire starts in the past 24 hours. There may be a possibility of more fire starts as, another round of thunderstorms are in the forecast for parts of Montana this evening. Missoula's forecast is for us to be under a "Red Flag Warning" for this according to the National Weather Service.

There is a lot information that is moving quickly with the severity of the storm that we experienced last night there will be more information coming.

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