As of Monday, February 28, 2022, Montana reports 266,579 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 512 new cases of coronavirus infection reported since Friday: 129 new cases in Cascade County, 127 new cases in Flathead County, 47 new cases in Yellowstone County, 44 new cases in Gallatin County, 39 new cases in Missoula County, and more new cases in 37 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 1,536. Of Montana’s 56 counties, 51 report active cases. Currently, 108 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. 3,187 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Twenty-five more people’s deaths have been reported since Friday. Nationwide, more than 947,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 78,800,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

An “extreme” atmospheric river is hitting the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, bringing the threat of avalanches and flooding, which will persist for days. The atmospheric river (a narrow ribbon of enhanced moisture) will produce periods of moderate to heavy rain in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, and heavy snow in Idaho, Montana, and Alberta.

A key land acquisition at the junction of the Powder and Yellowstone rivers is proposed for a new Lower Yellowstone River State Park. The Lower Yellowstone River Corridor Advisory Committee has recommended the creation of the Lower Yellowstone River State Park, which could range in size from 45 to 700 acres.

The Lincoln Ranger District is preparing to do spring prescribed burning starting as early as Feb. 28 in an effort to reduce the risk of crisis wildfires. Burnings are planned around Ogden Mountain, Poorman Creek, Marsh Creek and Flesher Pass.