Red Flag Warning Issued: Extreme Fire Danger for Local Forests
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas and Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts, warning of extreme fire danger due to high winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures until Friday evening; outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas, as well as the Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest. Residents in these areas should exercise extreme caution and avoid all outdoor burning immediately.
The National Weather Service in Great Falls issued the warning at 11:25 AM MDT on Thursday, October 8, 2026. It will remain in effect until 9:00 PM MDT on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Conditions conducive to rapid fire spread are expected, including west winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, relative humidity as low as 14 percent, and temperatures reaching up to 82 degrees. Any fires that develop under these conditions will spread rapidly and may be very difficult to contain.
Outdoor burning is not recommended. A Red Flag Warning signifies that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or are expected shortly, a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures contributing to extreme fire behavior.
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