The devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles County are a sobering reminder of how powerful mother nature can be.

You might wonder from the title of this article what a wildfire in California might have to do with all of us right here in Montana.

First and foremost, Montana is no stranger to wildfires and the danger that they can cause.

However, one of the factors that can help feed a fire - is when the similarity starts to align.

Wind Driven Fires

If you've been following the news about the Palisades Fire in California, you've probably heard the term Santa Ana winds.

Ultimately, strong winds originate in the high terrain and flow towards sea level.

Santa Ana winds occur when high pressure builds over the Great Basin region, causing the colder air mass to sink.

When the air is forced down the mountains, it compresses and warms up.

That might sound familiar to what we often refer to here in Montana as down-sloping winds.

Downsloping Winds

Like in California, strong winds over the mountains blow to the lower elevations, compressing and heating up, causing intense, warm winds that can make a fire explode.

The Man Gulch Fire of 1949 is a prime example of what these strong winds can do.

Fire Safety And Planning

Although fires are inevitable, having a plan and understanding the dangers can mean the difference between life and death.

Understand that we are not immune from devastating fires like what we are witnessing in California.

It's often easy to point fingers and make assumptions, but what's happening in California could just as easily happen in Montana.

Related Reading: Learning To Live with Fire Under the Big Sky of Montana

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