NRCC meteorologist: Heatwave could jumpstart MT wildfire season A large percentage of western Montana already is in abnormally dry to drought conditions and the intense and prolonged heatwave has the Northern Rockies Coordination Center concerned as we sit on the cusp of wildfire season. By: Russ Thomas and last updated 2021-06-28 19:00:34-04 MISSOULA â A large percentage of western Montana already is in abnormally dry to drought conditions and the intense and prolonged heatwave expected in the coming days has the Northern Rockies Coordination Center (NRCC) concerned as we sit on the cusp of wildfire season. âWeâve already had three heatwaves which is unusual for this time of year anyway, this third heatwave is different because itâs more prolonged and itâs also very extreme in terms of magnitude," NRCC Fire Weather Meteorologist, Coleen Haskell said.