Forest managers are telling the governor that Montana's fire season is expected to last longer than usual.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer was told at a Wednesday fire briefing that long-term forecasts call for fire conditions through the end of September.
The Northern Rockies Coordination Center put the total cost of fighting large wildfires in Montana, including costs to federal and state agencies, at $64 million so far this season.
The state's cost is about $25 million to fight fires that have burned about 1,100 square miles.
State officials say nearly 1,400 fires have destroyed 372 structures this season. About half were human caused.
Schweitzer says the state has already burned through cash reserves set aside for such natural disasters, but that plenty of money is available from surplus general funds.
Fire season expected to last to end of September
LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY
POSTED: 2:47 PM Aug 30 2012
UPDATED: 6:07 PM Aug 22 2012
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Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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