Dangerous Fire Weather Threatens SW Montana as Extreme Heat, Strong Wind Gusts Persist

For SW Montana on Monday afternoon and possibly into Tuesday, serious fire weather conditions will be present due to the combination of today's extreme heat, strong wind gusts, and extremely low humidity.

Through Monday night, the National Weather Service has issued a HEAT ADVISORY for Bozeman and the eastern area of SW Montana, with possible maximum temperatures ranging from 95° to 105°. For the remainder of the day, exercise extreme caution when engaging in any outdoor activity to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Additionally, the intense heat will increase the risk of fire.

Red Flag Warning

Most of Montana is under a RED FLAG WARNING from the National Weather Service through Monday at 9 p.m. There is a big chance that more red flag alerts will be issued over the remaining week.

New fire starts are very likely to occur during red flag warning events, particularly accidental human-caused fires. For the remainder of the day, experts advise the public to exercise extreme caution while engaging in any outdoor activity.

Wildfires

The three fires around SW Montana that are responsible for the majority of the wildfire smoke, according to the most recent fire update, are as follows:

The largest fire in the area, the Moose Fire, which is located north of Salmon, Idaho, has grown to over 56,000 acres.

Over 700 acres have been burned by the smaller, less active Hog Trough Fire, which is 9 percent contained.

Just under 1,000 acres of the Clover Fire south of Ennis have been burned, and it is only 23% contained. For Big Sky, Ennis, and West Yellowstone, this fire will occasionally produce heavy smoke.

Smoke Forecast

According to the most recent smoke forecast, there will be heavy wildfire smoke in the Dillon, Ennis, and West Yellowstone regions through tonight's overnight hours, with a repeat of this pattern likely on Tuesday. There will be several phases of light to moderate smoke in Butte as well, with the Bozeman region likely to experience less severe smoke.

At 1 pm on Monday, the Dillon area's air quality was upgraded to "unhealthy for sensitive groups," while Butte and West Yellowstone's air quality was rated as "moderate," with Bozeman's air quality being at its best.

Late on Tuesday, a cold front will return slightly cooler air to the area, but it may also bring with it strong wind gusts as well as a few isolated thunderstorms over southern Beaverhead, Madison, and Gallatin counties as well as into Yellowstone National Park, 7KBZK Bozeman reports.

Temperatures in Montana for the Next 10 Days

Forecast data from The Weather Channel shows that Montana will experience sweltering for the next ten days. Temperatures will range from the low 90s to the high 80s, except for Friday and Saturday when temperatures dip to 85 and 82 degrees, respectively. Clouds will come and go during the span of ten days as the skies would vary from sunny, partly cloudy, and cloudy skies. There are very low to no chance of rainshower.

US National Weather Service: Red Flag Warning

When there is a Red Flag Warning, it means that there is or will soon be a serious fire weather condition. Extreme fire behavior may result from a combination of strong wind gusts, low humidity, and high temperatures. The proper authorities or fire crews within these areas should be informed of this Red Flag Warning, US National Weather Service, through AccuWeather reports.