Good morning, Missoula.

Cory Birkenbuel launched Friends of Maverick Mountain to fund repairs for the ski lift damaged by the Sand Creek Fire on August 1 at Maverick Mountain.

The donation site will be active next week & he is working with local partners to restore this cherished hill.

Missoula Montana Airport set an all-time record in July by welcoming 142,399 passengers (an increase of nearly 1,800 from last July), showing strong community travel support.

In 2026, several longtime Missoula businesses closed, including restaurants like Elote at Southgate Mall, Pangea downtown, and Liquid Planet Grille, plus shops such as Pine & Needle and Bullseye Eyeglasses, while iconic spots like James Bar, Stave & Hoop, and Applebee's on Brooks Street ended operations.

Montana residents can join ornament workshops at Lolo Pass Visitor Center to add a local touch to the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, an 80-foot Grand Fir (historic selection) from the Salmon River Ranger District.

The workshops will run until Aug. 31.

Downtown Missoula hosts the free River City Roots Festival on Friday, Aug.

21 and Saturday, Aug. 22 with live music, an art show, a 4-mile run, and family activities from 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. — drawing thousands to enjoy community fun.

Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission set new wolf hunting and trapping limits on Wednesday after state biologists reported that the wolf population may have been overestimated.

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, a wildfire near Thompson Falls grew to 130 acres with 0% containment as Lolo National Forest crews battled the blaze near Cherry Peak in the Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger District + a Temporary Flight Restriction was set to support safe aircraft operations.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast shows that Montana’s fall colors will peak from late September into early October — a time when parks and trails offer vibrant displays.

Locals can plan outings now to enjoy the autumn change before winter sets in.

On Tuesday, Missoula advanced its Rattlesnake restoration plan by improving a trailhead near the former reservoir for public use.

City leaders worked with local partners & agencies to restore the ecosystem and create smoother, accessible trails for visitors.

Missoula County lowered fire danger from very high to high and lifted Stage 2 restrictions on state and private land on Wednesday, Aug.

19, though Lolo National Forest remains under Stage 2 limits. Officials warn that fire risks persist in dry grasslands — even with rain and cooler weather.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) are warning Montana residents about counterfeit websites that mimic real businesses to steal personal and bank account details.

They advise checking website security and avoiding wire transfers or gift cards when making online purchases.