Glasgow, MT – Dry air, strong winds, and mild temperatures will combine Sunday to create critical fire conditions across portions of northeast and central Montana, where the National Weather Service in Glasgow has issued a Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 5 PM MDT Sunday.
The alert covers fire weather zones 136 and 137, including the Lower Missouri River Breaks and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, as well as southern Petroleum and southern Garfield Counties. Forecasters expect northwest winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph and humidity dropping near 20 percent — a volatile mix for any new or existing fires.
According to the NWS, any fire that starts could spread rapidly, especially in grasslands and open terrain where fuels remain dry. Outdoor burning, welding, or use of open flames is strongly discouraged. Fire crews across the region are urged to remain on alert as conditions peak midday through late afternoon.
Temperatures will fall quickly after sunset, but the gusty winds may linger into the evening, prolonging fire concerns briefly before calmer weather returns Monday.
Sunday’s setup marks one of the final critical fire weather events of the fall season before colder air settles into the northern Plains early next week. Residents are encouraged to secure loose items, avoid sparks, and report any smoke immediately.
