Power Outage in Broadus, MT

Power outages were reported in Broadus.

Eleven power poles were snapped along Highway 212 between Ashland and Broadus. This resulted in power outages that lasted two days.

Tree limbs were down, as well as power outages across Broadus.

The Boyes microburst winds were estimated to be 80 to 100 mph. Five grain bins were blown several hundred yards and three power poles were blown down. In addition, portions of rooftops were peeled back on two metal structures. There was some other minor damage as well.

The Richard Spring Fire started on Sunday, August 8th around 230pm MDT 10 miles southwest of Colstrip. It was caused by a coal seam. The wildfire burned 171,130 acres.|When the fire started, winds were gusting to 20 mph, but a strong cold front moved through the fire Sunday night with gusts to 45 mph. The fire resulted in Highways 212 and 39 to be closed at times for several days. Widespread power outages occurred for several days as well. The wildfire forced several evacuations in Lame Deer and Ashland along with several other small communities. In addition, 12 secondary structures were lost. For more detailed information, please see the latest GACC (Geographic Area Coordination Center) Detailed Situation Report.

A strong early Fall storm system moved into the Northern Rockies bringing significant snow to portions of the Billings Forecast Area. Heavy snow fell mainly along and south of a Livingston-Billings-Miles City-Baker line. The heaviest snowfall occurred along the eastern foothills of the Beartooth/Absaroka Mountains where up to two feet of snow fell. The main impacts from this storm were significant tree damage along with power outages as deciduous trees were still holding their leaves and northeast winds gusting over 20 mph added additional stress to trees and power lines.

Dry conditions and high temperatures resulted in the wildfire season beginning earlier than normal. June and July brought above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. High temperatures during these months ranged from the upper 80s to lower 100s.||The Ash Creek Fire ignited on June 25th. It was caused by lightning and the origin was 10 miles east of Lame Deer. It burned in timber, juniper, pine, sage and grass. The fire burned 249,562 acres, 11 homes, and numerous outbuildings. In addition, the wildfire destroyed a state highway communications tower and knocked out transmissions. The fire complex had devastating effects on livestock and grazing lands.||Four additional fires broke out within close proximity to and shortly after the Ash Creek Fire. These fires were the Taylor Creek, Horse Creek, Powerline and Coal Seam Fires. All five fires were combined into one large incident and renamed the Southeastern Montana Complex. Of the five fires in this complex, the Ash Creek Fire was the first to ignite. The complex was contained on July 10th.||The following acreage was consumed by each fire:|Ash Creek-249,562|Taylor Creek-62,134|Horse Creek-7,575|Powerline-5,265|Coal Seam-527|Total Complex acres-325,063||The cost of fighting this complex was $7.5 million. ||For additional information, please see the Incident Information website at|www.inciweb.org.

Dry conditions and high temperatures resulted in the wildfire season beginning earlier than normal. June and July brought above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. High temperatures during these months ranged from the upper 80s to lower 100s. ||The Ash Creek Fire ignited on June 25th. It was caused by lightning and the origin was 10 miles east of Lame Deer. It burned in timber, juniper, pine, sage and grass. The fire burned 249,562 acres, 11 homes, and numerous outbuildings. The fire complex had devastating effects on livestock and grazing lands. ||Four additional fires broke out within close proximity to and shortly after the Ash Creek Fire. These fires were the Taylor Creek, Horse Creek, Powerline and Coal Seam Fires. All five fires were combined into one large incident and renamed the Southeastern Montana Complex. Of the five fires in this complex, the Ash Creek Fire was the first to ignite. The complex was contained on July 10th. ||The following acreage was consumed by each fire:|Ash Creek-249,562|Taylor Creek-62,134|Horse Creek-7,575|Powerline-5,265|Coal Seam-527|Total Complex acres-325,063||The cost of fighting this complex was $7.5 million. ||For additional information, please see the Incident Information website at|www.inciweb.org.