Red Flag Warning: Prepare for Extreme Fire Risk in Gallatin, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, and Park Counties

Residents in Gallatin, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, and Park Counties are advised to exercise extreme caution and take immediate fire prevention measures due to a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Billings, Montana.

The warning is in effect from 1:06 AM MDT this morning, October 5, until 8:00 PM MDT this evening, October 5, 2026. This severe alert indicates critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or are expected shortly across portions of the Gallatin National Forest and specific areas within Wheatland, Sweet Grass, and Park Counties.

The NWS reports that low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures reaching up to 87 degrees, and gusty winds from the west at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, will contribute to extreme fire behavior. Humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 12 percent. These conditions will create erratic fire behavior for any new or existing fires, particularly in lower to mid-elevations with fine fuels.

A Red Flag Warning means that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Residents are urged to avoid any activities that could spark a fire. This includes, but is not limited to, refraining from open burning, avoiding the use of machinery that could create sparks, and properly disposing of cigarettes.