Meriwether Fire north of Helena, MontanaMeriwether FireMontana: Boat ride on the Missouri River through Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area 19-miles north of Helena July 26, 2007. We are staying in Lincoln Road RV-Park Helena, MT less than a mile west of I-15 at exit 200. Lincoln Road RV-Park is about 10-miles north of downtown Helena but in a very good position access everything in the area. $25.04 with Good Sam discount plus-taxes for FHU in nice gravel pull thru sites with some shade. Free wifi was available but no cable TV.
We headed to exit 209 on I-15 less than 20-miles north of Helena where we are going to take a boat ride into Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River a place made famous by Meriweather Lewis's description of it when the Corps of Discovery entered this canyon in 1805 on their journey to the Pacific Ocean. For us this will be more than a chance to see the canyon Lewis so eloquently described but we are also going to witness first hand a western wild fire that the nation hears so much about on national TV. A big wildfire has been raging in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area a few miles north of Helena. We hear about it on the news every night and see smoke from it during the daytime. It is officially referred to as the Meriwether Fire. I think the "Meriwether" name has something to do with the "Meriwether" Campground located on the Missouri River in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness.
Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch in Montana
This picture was taken shortly after we took exit 209 on I-15 where we turned off to visit Gates of the Mountains. The smoke is from the Meriwether Fire. We are passing through a small portion of the huge Sieben Ranch and Hilger Herford Ranch in Montana. You can read more about the historic Sieben Ranch in another travellog.
Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch in Montana
In this picture we are much closer to the Missouri River and are looking north (down stream) toward the fire. In case you are puzzled the Missouri River flows north toward Canada through this area. While the fire you see is in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness the property you are looking at is the Sieben Ranch. You can read more about the historic Sieben Ranch in this travellog.
Smoke from the Meriwether Fire visible in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
We are heading into the "Gates" on a boat directly toward the fire.
Getting close to the Meriwether Fire in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
In addition to trying to pay attention to the magnificent limestone ramparts on both sides of the river the fire is constantly on our mind. We are motoring on a tour boat down current on the Missouri River about 18-miles north of Helena, Montana through Gates of the Mountains made famous by Lewis and Clark.
Helicopter fighting the Meriwether Fire as it sucks water from the Missouri River
As we get closer to the fire helicopters swoop in beside our boat to scoop up a load of water used to fight the fire. This particular helicopter has a long "stinger" that it drops into the water as it flies at 30-MPH or so helping to force water into that snout connected to a very powerful pump that pumps water into an internal bladder. When the bladder is full the helicopter rises across the mountains and dumps its load of water on the latest hot spot. Only to be back at the river within a few minutes for another fill.
Flairup near the Missouri River is part of the Meriwether Fire in Gates to the Mountains Wilderness
One bucket of water will put down those flames. By the way we are heading to that section of river.
Helicopter fighting Meriwether Fire in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
You may realize that this is a completely different helicopter and water delivery system.
It is currently heading off across the mountain with a full load of water.
Part of the Meriwether Fire that is near the Missouri River in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
From the looks of this smoke a helicopter may be dumping water on this spot shortly.
Fire fighting camp
For those of you that have not seen what a fire fighting camp looks like this one looks typical.
Click here for more Montana Travel AdventuresUntil next time remember how good life is.
More Montana AdventuresSome Exciting Drives** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
|
| ||
| |||
|
|
|||
|
| |||
|
|
