Rock slide closes Hwy. 35
The remnants of a fallen tree that, along with a good-sized boulder, blocked traffic on Hwy. 35 north of Finley Point for a few hours. The slide occurred below an area scorched by forest fire in 2021. (Kristi Niemeyer/Lake County Leader)
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) closed Montana Highway 35 from Polson to Yellow Bay for a few hours Tuesday afternoon due to rock and mudslides around mile marker 12.
The Finley Point Rural Fire Department was on the scene, clearing boulders and a ponderosa pine from the roadway. The slide was below an area scorched by forest fire in the summer of 2021 and came after warming temperatures on Sunday and Monday, with rain at lower elevations, increased avalanche danger across western Montana.