Fire Weather Watch Issued for North Central Montana

(Great Falls)

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a fire weather watch between the afternoon of Aug. 1 through Aug. 2, citing hot temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity. The watch covers Eastern Glacier, Toole, Central and Eastern Pondera, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Chouteau and Fergus counties, along with several national forest districts including the Rocky Mountain Front and parts of the Helena National Forest.

Forecasters expect temperatures up to 105F Saturday, relative humidity as low as 8%, and west winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph along the Rocky Mountain Front, ahead of a strong, dry cold front arriving Saturday evening. Officials warn any fires that develop could spread rapidly and be difficult to contain, and outdoor burning is not recommended.

The watch comes amid ongoing hot, dry conditions across the broader region, including in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Custer Gallatin National Forest has been under an open fire ban since July 9, after crews responded to three wildfire starts and one abandoned campfire earlier this month; quick response held each fire to a tenth of an acre before full containment. Forest officials continue to urge visitors to check current fire restrictions before heading out, as conditions can escalate quickly.