These photos were taken July 30, 2020 or so.
Flathead Indian Reservation south of Kalispell, Montana on the West side of Highway 93/200. The fire was over one mile long and no road access for the fire crews. They were parked and standing around with no way to access or fight the fire.
The photos are from driving North towards Kalispell. The source appeared to be from the north end, blowing to the southwest.
There have been other fires, many appear to be cigarette grass fires along the highways in Utah. None were burning when we traveled through August 10th.
Campfires... why people have a campfire under the cover of pine trees is beyond me.
The third photo is south of Cedar Breaks National Monument of Utah. An Off the Grid Campsite with a fire pit placed out of the trees about three feet in diameter and about two feet deep.
In the background is a six to eight foot 'fire circle' at the bottom of a Sink Hole. The Sink Hole was 15 feet deep. There were about ten of these in the general area. A fellow camper thought it was a Meteorite Crater... which would be more exciting.
Many remote fires are from dry lightening strikes. Some from uncontrolled campsites among dry grass or in the pine.
Trailer tires can burn...
Montana... once you are in the Northwest part of the state. It is WET. But be careful. You smell smoke... look around and look for the plume in the sky. If it is close, figure the wind direction and the possibility to pack up and depart. At the worse... an open clearing.
Always... have a Fire Plan in the WEST. Grass fires are quick burning and not as big a threat. Once they get into the Pine... or Juniper... or other sap trees things happen fast.
Someone with experience may want to post. New Mexico had banned campfires in May/June of this year. People still do, anyways.
If not Bears in the camp. Deer, Antelope, Elk and livestock on the Highways... just add fires. Fires are smelled for miles. The... others. Smell after three days in the sun.
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