Billings, Mont. – A Canadian cold front moving into Montana late Tuesday is expected to worsen wildfire smoke across the state, with visibility already dropping in parts of the northeast. Air quality could deteriorate significantly tonight into Wednesday as near-surface smoke settles in.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, smoke that has stayed aloft over the past few days will be pushed closer to the ground as cooler air filters in. This shift could trigger unhealthy air quality levels in Billings, Miles City, Glasgow, and surrounding areas, creating hazards for those with respiratory or heart conditions.
Drivers across eastern Montana should be prepared for smoky stretches along Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 2, where visibility may be sharply reduced. Health officials urge residents to remain indoors when possible, keep air conditioner filters clean, and check on vulnerable neighbors, especially children and the elderly.
The smoke is expected to linger through at least Wednesday, with the possibility of additional Canadian smoke drifting south into Thursday. Residents should monitor updated advisories and check real-time air quality conditions at fire.airnow.gov.
