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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The
’ ! l a c o L t a t s e B
Volume XXXVII, Number 2
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
www.bitterrootstar.com
Fire and smoke in the Bitterroot
A mother’s open arms
by Michael Howell Fires of unprecedented size and intensity are raging across the western U.S., forming what looks like a ring of fire in the Rocky Mountains stretching from Mexico to Canada on the current map displayed on the federal wildfire website (inciweb. nwcg.gov). According to figures reported on Monday, July 26, by the National Interagency Fire Center, a total of 86 large fires currently burning have torched about 1.5 million acres in 12 states. The Bitterroot National Forest has been mostly spared from any large wildfires so far this season. But fires are burning all around the valley on other forests and flooding the valley with smoke. Over the last week air quality conditions have worsened with the area around Victor and Corvallis registering some of the worst conditions. On Monday, July 26, the smoke levels in Victor had risen from Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy but were showing signs of decline. Conditions in Corvallis remain Unhealthy. Both Stevensville and Hamilton remain Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. There have been 31 wildfires on the Bitterroot National Forest to date. Fire officials note 13 were human-caused and 18 of the fires were sparked by lightning. Most recently, smoke from an abandoned campfire was reported up Bass Creek on July 23. Firefighters found the fire still burning inside a campfire ring and being attended by people unaware of the campfire restrictions in place on the forest. The fire was extinguished. On July 24, a report of an abandoned campfire at Lost Horse Bridge was determined to be a false alarm. Newly confirmed fires on the forest include: • Three Frogs Fire: 1/10 acre, lightning-caused fire. Fire is currently contained and controlled. Initial attack resources included 3 firefighters and a helicopter for water drops. Firefighters are continuing mop-up on Thursday. • El Capitan Fire: 1/10 acre, caused by lightning. Initial attack continued on page 6
Micki Long of Stevensville took this great photo of a mother turkey and her chicks.
Hamilton council proclaims support for diversity, inclusion by Nathan Boddy On Tuesday, July 20th, the Hamilton City Council passed, unanimously, a proclamation in support of diversity and inclusion. The proclamation was requested by Councilor Jenny West, following a series of tumultuous public meetings during which the council considered a policy which could have allowed a public display of support for LGBTQ+ and minority community members. Although the policy was never adopted, West specifically asked that some show of support for marginalized communities be made. The proclamation approved on Tuesday night was the result of that request.
A proclamation is largely a ceremonial tool, used to identify topics or individuals of importance to a community. For example, a proclamation might be used to identify a particular month as “Child Abuse Awareness Month,” as was done by Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf in 2018, or to identify academic achievement by high school students. While a proclamation can have additional consequences, such as a proclamation of emergency or special conditions, it is largely used by governments to declare its actions to the public. The focal point of Tuesday’s proclamation was essentially that the council reaffirmed, “values of compassion, inclusion, continued on page 4
Stevensville has full council by Victoria Howell At the July 22nd Stevensville Town Council meeting, Karen Wandler was sworn in and seated as the newest member of the council. Wandler will represent Ward 2 and is replacing Dempsey Vick who abruptly resigned in June. Wandler was the only applicant in this second round of advertising for the vacancy. In the initial advertising, former mayor Jim Crews and Sue Devlin, Karen Wandler is sworn in by Mayor Brandon Dewey as the newest mother of council member Jaime Devlin, had applied member of the Stevensville Town Council. Photo by Victoria Howell. continued on page 5
Hamilton fire department shows need for new station
by Nathan Boddy The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department opened the bay doors to the Fire Station on Wednesday, July 21st. The more than 100 year old building was the central topic, and more specifically, why the historic building can no longer serve as an efficient fire station. Michael Dowling, of Dowling Architects in Helena, was present, and kicked off the gathering by letting people know that the new fire station has not yet been designed. “This (open house) is really an opportunity for you to see the current facility, and to see why there’s a dire need for a new station. I think once you get a tour of this place you’ll understand, without a doubt, that it’s an absolute necessity.” Dowling
Architects has been chosen for the eventual design of the new station, which will be constructed on city-owned property at the corner of Skeels and Foxfield. While the new facility has not yet been designed, it is generally understood that it will incorporate the best available design to minimize cost and yet
Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf and Fire Chief Brad Mohn discuss the station’s even tual home site. Photo Nathan Boddy.
Under New Ownership!
RE-OPENING
maximize utility for the firefighters as well as the community. Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf says that the City is searching for funding from a variety of sources including a Community Development Block Grant, the Federal Cares Act, and possibly a bond or levy to pay for the new station. “At this point, we have no other option,”
MONDAY, AUGUST 2ND • 11 AM
said Farrenkopf, “there’s no more time to wait. We are looking into all funding options.” Chief Brad Mohn gave a brief history of the existing station, as well as the all-volunteer crew that responds to its calls. “It (the building) was constructed in 1907 to serve as the City Hall, Fire Department and Library.” At the time, the east side bay was enclosed by barn doors, because standing behind them was the crew of horses used to pull the firefighting equipment of the day. “That’s how old this building is,” says Mohn. The building has undergone multiple changes over the decades, but the space has increasingly become a liability in several regards. As far as cost, the modern equipment used in firefighting simply does not continued on page 3
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