Hot today, history tomorrow.

It's hot.  This summer could end up being one for the history books.  A large part of the country is suffering from drought, some places moderate, some extreme, all of it newsworthy.  If you look at all the graphics on news stories about the drought, Montana is in better condition than many of the states in the central part of country, even so, the drought could play a major role in our ecomony.  It isn't just agricultural businesses that are keepng a close eye on the weather.   Only yesterday I heard a news report about streams that have fishing restrictions during the afternoon and evening hours.  It just doesn't take long to heat the water, when the flow levels are so low. Many communities rely on fishermen and other outdoor recreationalists for a sizable boost to their seasonal incomes. And then there are the wildfires. It is too early to tell but I have heard more than one expert compare this summer to 1988, the summer that Yellowstone National Park and the rest of the west, experienced devastating fire seasons.  I think this summer will be remembered for years as the long, hot dry summer of 2012