Fire weather danger increases for Northeast Montana counties
Fire Weather Watches have been issued for dangerous conditions in several northeast Montana counties because of high temperatures and very gusty winds.
Conditions are drying up again across the state and more Fire Weather Watches are being issued as the temperatures stay high, humidities stay low and the winds remain gusty. Those elements are a recipe for disaster.
All of us need to use extreme caution when traveling through these areas. A dragging chain on a towing unit could throw a spark, or a lit cigarette thrown out a window could start our next wildfire.
Montana towns that are located in the Fire Weather Watch areas: Malta, Glasgow, Scobey, Plentywood, Wolf Point, Poplar, Winnett, Jordan, Circle, Terry, Fallon, Richey, Fox Lake, Knife River, Glendive, Wibaux.
SEE A MAP OF CURRENT WILDFIRE DETAILS HERE
According to the National Weather Service:
- A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.
- GUSTY EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 120, 122, 134, 135, 136, AND 137 (see fire weather zone map below for exact locations that are affected.)
- The National Weather Service in Glasgow has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty east winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.
- AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 120, 122, 134, 135, 136 and 137.
- TIMING...From late Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.
- WINDS...East 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
- RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.
- TEMPERATURES...85 northeast to 95 southwest.
- IMPACTS...Any fires that start could rapidly spread.
There are Heat Advisories in effect for northern Idaho and most of eastern Washington state, so we won't be surprised if some of those pop up in Montana in the coming days. Stay hydrated and stay safe!