Extreme heat and critical fire conditions are forecast through Thursday. Meteorologists say records could be shattered this week.

Extreme heat and critical fire conditions forecast through Thursday

Residents south of Highway 93 near Elmo are being told to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire. Several areas in Northwest Montana will move to Stage Two fire restrictions Saturday.

Evacuations ordered near Elmo; NW Montana will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions

The 13,000 acre Middle Ridge Fire burning west of Ronan is listed at 25% containment. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ (CSKT) Division of Fire said crews continued mop up efforts Thursday. The almost 14,000 acre Niarada Fire west of Elmo continues actively burning in a mix of timber and brush.

Montana wildfire update for Aug. 3, 2023

As fire season heats up across Montana, officials say people living in areas prone to wildfires should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

What you can do to prepare ahead of an evacuation order 

The Tub Gulch Fire is burning within Libby’s ‘asbestos forest’ near the defunct vermiculite mine. Forest Service crews began emergency fire prevention work this week in the area around Butte’s largest municipal water supply.The Flathead County Commission enacted an emergency declaration Tuesday.

'Asbestos forest' burns; Fire prevention work begins around Butte's water supply

Bone dry conditions, powerful winds and multiple new wildfire starts kept ground and air firefighting resources busy in recent days. Evacuation orders are in effect northwest of Polson due to the Nirada Fire.

Montana wildfire update for July 31, 2023

Fire officials announced Wednesday that Stage 1 fire restrictions will be implemented across most of northwest Montana this weekend. The move comes in advance of anticipated above-normal temperatures and deepening drought conditions.

Restrictions on fires and fishing are going into effect in northwest Montana

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect due to the Colt Fire, burning northwest of Seeley Lake. Residents near the intersection of Beaver Creek Road and Highway 83 have been ordered to evacuate. A lightning-caused fire is burning roughly 120 acres five miles east of Arlee.

Colt Fire evacuation orders remain in effect near Seeley Lake

MT’s fire season got off to a slow start this year due to persistent rainfall. But fire officials told Gov. Gianforte that a drying and warming trend will change that.

Officials say Montana fire activity could increase in the coming weeks

Wildfire activity across the country is below normal this year. As the summer fire season starts to ramp up, experts ask the public to help prevent unnecessary fires.

National wildfire activity this year is below normal so far, experts say

Wildfire, fire management and air quality news for western Montana and the northern Rockies.

Gov. Greg Gianforte Tuesday convened federal, state, tribal and local fire officials for a preview of the state’s wildfire readiness. Forecasters say Montana could see normal fire activity this summer.

Gianforte calls for aggressive attack on all wildfires

Firefighters are taking advantage of Montana’s unusually warm weather to ignite some controlled burns to reduce forest fuels. The goal is to prevent or minimize the impact of more destructive fires later in the summer.

Controlled burns are in progress across the state

People who fly the drones over wildland fires could soon face criminal penalties under a bill gaining traction at the Legislature.

Bill would make it a crime to fly drones over wildfires

New research led by a University of Montana professor shows wildfires in the West are destroying more homes per square mile burned than in previous years. Fire ecologist Philip Higuera is the lead author on the publication and spoke with Montana Public Radio’s Austin Amestoy.

The rate of structure loss due to wildfires is growing, researcher says

A wildfire that started Tuesday afternoon is burning about 100 acres 10 miles west of Polson.

New wildfire west of Polson is putting up a big smoke plume

Extreme heat and bone-dry conditions are prompting officials to raise the fire danger and implement burning restrictions in parts of western Montana.

Fire restrictions grow in the Bitterroot National Forest and Missoula County

The Matt Staff Fire burning east of Helena has burned over 1,500 acres and is still active but suppressed, according to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff.

Firefighters make progress on Matt Staff, Elmo fires

The Elmo Fire near the western shore of Flathead Lake grew to over 18,000 acres at last report. About 150 homes are now in the mandatory evacuation area. Officials on Wednesday said the fire has burned four homes and four outbuildings and has a high potential for reaching Flathead Lake by this evening.

Fire danger grows as high temperatures meet high winds

New evacuations orders were issued Monday afternoon for The Elmo Fire near the western shores of Flathead Lake, which had grown to nearly 13,000 acres and was zero percent contained as of firefighters' most recent update this morning.

Evacuations are in effect due to the Elmo Fire

Montana Wildfire News

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