Montana: Wednesday Red Flag Fire Weather Warning

Well over a dozen counties will see temps in the 90s, gusty winds and very low humidity on Wednesday, prompting a Red Flag Warning and fire conditions increasing.

CITIES INCLUDED IN THIS RED FLAG WARNING: Bozeman, Townsend, Butte, Anaconda, Dillon, Virginia City, Ennis, Darby, Hamilton, Stevensville, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Drummond, Boulder, Clancy, Helena, Great Falls, Choteau, Browning, Cut Bank, Shelby, Fort Benton, Havre, Chinook, Harlem, Malta, Saco, Hinsdale, Glasgow, Circle.

According to the National Weather Service:

• WHAT: A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT
• WHEN: FROM 1 PM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO 8 PM THIS EVENING.
• WHERE: Affected areas include Fire Zone 110 (Deerlodge/West Beaverhead), Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead).
• IMPACT OF THE RED FLAG WARNING: The combination of gusty winds, low humidity, and high Haines will produce critical fire weather conditions on Wednesday.
• WIND: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 25 to 35 mph.
• HUMIDITY: 7 to 13 percent.

Want to see where current wildfires are burning in the state of Montana and the surrounding West? Check the Wildfire Map HERE.

A good portion of Montana will probably see these fire conditions through Thursday as well. Temperatures are supposed to remain high through Thursday (approximately 90). Then Friday and through the weekend, temperatures should cool down significantly with even a chance of rain in the forecast.

Use extreme caution when recreating in the back country. Fire restrictions have been eased in several locations around the state, but obviously conditions are still precarious.

When driving in rural or wooded areas, make sure your vehicle isn't dragging anything such as rope or chains. Sparks can easily start a roadside fire that can get out of hand quickly in rural areas, especially in windy conditions.