Seeley Swan Pathfinder -

Two young firefighters killed by falling snags – snags that should not have even been there. These snags should have been cut years ago and sent to the sawmill as logs, or cut and sent to the pulp mill. When all else failed – open the gate and...

With school about to start very soon, it would be a good idea if the kids, as well as their parents and grandparents, knew how to walk safely on a road where there are no sidewalks. Yesterday I saw a young man walking his dog on the right side of...

While we’re dealing with one of the worst threatening wildfires in the U.S. right now here with our Rice Ridge Fire on Seeley Lake’s doorstep, Senator Jon Tester and Governor Bullock both came to Seeley Lake to make serious inquiries and...

SEELEY LAKE – I have sat quietly by, watching the Sewer Board do their thing for many years. That ends today! You keep trying any and all ways to circumvent the majority vote against the sewer. No, don’t try to explain it to me again about how so...

Before I start let me make it clear, I support and honor all those who are working to control the fires burning near Seeley Lake and throughout Montana. However, those in charge, including the Forest Service and our government representatives need...

I was pleased to read an article in the Great Falls Tribune on Aug. 11 that reported on the forest fire situation in the Seeley Lake area. I am a resident of this town and I can unequivocally state that this natural disaster has had a tremendous impa...

Having just read Professor Fernanda Santos letter in the Aug. 10 Missoulian entitled “Some Wildfires Simply Cannot Be Fought.” I think Fernando’s letter sounds just like articles written by most National Forest Service people. In other words, t...

Shibui and Shibusa are related Japanese terms that are not easily definable, but basically describe something that is outwardly very simple, basic and beautiful in perception/appearance, but within which lie subtle but increasing complexities that ar...

MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock issued a new Executive Order declaring a fire emergency to exist in the state of Montana.  “We will continue to do everything we can to make sure folks on the ground have the resources they need to protect...

The effects of wildfires on plants will vary, depending upon fire intensity and specific plant characteristics. Many plant species will survive and reinitiate growth soon after a fire. However, the ability of desirable plants to reestablish, reseed...

With summer more than half over, more than 23,000 watercraft have been inspected at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Aquatic Invasive Species inspection stations around the state. “This hot and dry weather has a lot of people looking to cool off...

Not a hunting season, but a season to admire Montana’s snakes for what they are: a vital cog in the natural world that serves an important purpose even if some of us suffer the heebie-jeebies at the mere thought of a snake. Last week while out for...

 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has received reports of rattlesnakes in the Missoula valley in recent weeks and offers safety reminders to hikers and homeowners.  “Rattlesnakes move down into moist river bottoms during hot, dry periods...

As the Rice Ridge fire pressed down upon us and I prepared to evacuate, my belongings felt like a burden. Protecting them was clearly not worth the loss of someone’s life. I couldn’t help but wish that our culture lived on the land differently....