Dry and windy: NWS Great Falls issues fire weather watch for central, southwest Montana

Dry, warm conditions and gusty winds expected on Wednesday prompted the National Weather Service in Great Falls to issue a red flag warning for most of central and southwest Montana.

The warning is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening from north of Helena down through Dillon and West Yellowstone, and east to Harlowton.

The weather service is forecasting winds out of the west-southwest from 25 mph to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. The minimum relative humidity is expected to be 10-20% at lower elevations and 25-35% at mountain elevations. Temperatures are expected to reach the 60s and 70s in the valleys and 40s and 50s in the mountains.

The gustiest winds will be along and south of the I-90 corridor in southwest Montana and north of the Hi-Line.

The elevated fire risk means any new or existing fires will be wind-driven and difficult to contain.

"In areas over the plains where no greening up has occurred, locally elevated fire weather conditions will exist Wednesday," the NWS wrote in a Tuesday afternoon briefing.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources is warning that forecasted conditions "can cause even small heat sources, such as embers, to quickly become fast-moving wildfires."

Four wildfires that started last week in Jefferson and Lewis and Clark counties were human caused, including three started by escaped debris burns, the department said.

"DNRC has identified an uptick in escaped debris burns and fires that were not fully extinguished over the past month," DNRC said in a statement. "What may seem out can still hold heat and reignite, especially under windy conditions."

DNRC recommends these steps to prevent a wildfire:

• Check recent burn sites. If you’ve burned debris recently, go back and make sure it is cold to the touch. Use the drown, stir, feel method by adding water, stirring ashes, and repeating until no heat remains.
• Avoid burning when windy and avoid other actions that could cause a spark. Even a brief gust can carry embers into nearby grass or brush.
• Clear around burn areas. Remove nearby fuels like dry grass, leaves and wood debris.
• Have water and tools ready. A shovel and water source should always be on hand when burning.
• Remember: If it’s too windy, it’s too risky! Consider postponing any burning until conditions improve.

Looking ahead, Thursday is forecast to be considerably cooler, with many areas likely seeing a 20-degree drop from Wednesday.