Smoke Forecast for Thursday, July 25, 2024 9:30 AM

July 25 2024

Current Conditions

Most of the Canadian wildfire smoke has exited the state. However, fires in Washington and Oregon grew significantly over the past 24-hours, and westerly winds continue to send that smoke into Montana.

The Miller Peak fire outside Missoula has burned over 2,600 acres with 25% containment. Gusty winds and warm temperatures could lead to increased fire activity again on Thursday.

See the latest Air Resource Advisor report from the Miller Peak fire here

At 9:00 AM Thursday, Columbia Falls, Thompson Falls, Great Falls, Cut Bank, Missoula, Dillon, West Yellowstone, Malta, Billings, Miles City, Sidney, Glendive, and Broadus were enduring Moderate air quality. Seeley Lake and Libby were experiencing air that is considered Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups.

Thursday morning’s satellite reveals smoke from wildfires burning in California, Washington, and Oregon drifting into Western Montana.

Source: NOAA

Forecast

For the first time in about three weeks, temperatures will return closer to normal. However, strong westerly winds will continue to fan the flames on existing wildfires in the region. The gusty winds will help to mix out much of the surface smoke during the day. However, winds will ease in the evening, allowing wildfire smoke to pool and drain into adjacent valleys.

Showers and storms will develop again Thursday afternoon along and east of I-15. A few of the storms could become severe with strong, damaging wind gusts. Considering how dry it’s been across the Northern Rockies, any lightning has the potential to start new wildfires.

Wednesday evening’s storms produced hundreds of lightning strikes over Western Montana. We won’t know the full extent of the damage for another day or two, but the lightning likely started numerous new fires.

By Friday afternoon, the HRRR smoke model shows strong westerly winds pumping smoke from regional wildfires into Montana.

Source: HRRR Smoke

Conditions can change quickly as weather could stimulate active fires and the likelihood of new starts increases. Please keep track of concentrations at todaysair.mtdeq.us or the Fire and Smoke Map.

Current Wildfires

Incident	State	location	acres	containment
Bench Lake Fire - IDSTF	Idaho	8 miles south of Stanley, Idaho	2,595	45%
Texas Fire - IDIDS	Idaho	Two miles East of Kendrick, ID	1,582	90%
Elk Creek - IDNCF	Idaho	5 miles South of Elk River Idaho	2	NA
Horse Gulch Fire - MTHLF	Montana	1/2 mile north of Canyon Ferry Dam near Helena, Montana	15,167	95%
Miller Peak Fire - MTLNF	Montana	7 miles southeast of Missoula	2,631	25%
Butler Creek Fire - MTMTS	Montana	5 miles northwest of Missoula	307	70%
Blacktail Canyon - MTBDF	Montana	4 miles southeast of Butte, MT	80	NA
Deadman Fire - MTMTS	Montana	Approx 17 mi south of Birney and north of the Tongue River Reservoir in Rosebud and Big Horn Counties	47,827	NA
Homestead Complex - ORUPF	Oregon	NA	1,044	0%
Durkee Fire - ORVAD	Oregon	5 miles southwest of Durkee, Oregon	268,492	0%
Telephone Fire - ORMAF	Oregon	16 miles north east of Burns, Oregon	9,000	0%
Pyramid Fire - ORWIF	Oregon	East of the Middle Santiam Wilderness	615	0%
Lone Rock Fire - ORPRD	Oregon	Lonerock Oregon stretching West of HWY 207	136,377	40%
Falls Fire - ORMAF	Oregon	20 miles NW of Burns	140,422	50%
Red Fire - ORDEF	Oregon	Diamond Peak Wilderness	389	0%
Oakridge Lightning Fires 2024 - ORWIF	Oregon	NA	NA	0%
Badland Complex 2024 - ORVAD	Oregon	Baker County, Oregon	58,944	0%
Diamond Complex - ORUPF	Oregon	18 miles southwest of Chemult, Oregon	3,764	3%
Cow Valley Fire - ORVAD	Oregon	West of Brogan and Northwest of Vale	133,490	91%
Boneyard Fire - OR95S	Oregon	10.4 Miles north of Monument, Oregon	49,716	3%
Clark 900 - OR770S	Oregon	37 miles northeast of Roseburg, OR	841	0%
Battle Mountain Complex - OR97S	Oregon	West and south of Ukiah, OR	63,985	5%
Cottage Grove - Lane 1 - OR77S	Oregon	Approximately 16 miles SE of Springfield, OR	1,296	10%
Microwave Tower Fire - OR95S	Oregon	5 miles WSW of Mosier, OR	704	14%
Whisky Creek Fire - ORMHF	Oregon	East fork of Herman Creek, 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR	288	0%
Ore Fire - ORWIF	Oregon	7 Miles NE of Blue River, OR	860	2%
Salt Creek - OR710S	Oregon	5 miles SSW of Butte Falls, Oregon	4,102	100%
Larch Creek Fire - OR95S	Oregon	Friend, OR, a rural community	18,286	81%
Pioneer - WASES	Washington	10 miles southeast of Stehekin, WA	30,667	14%
Easy Fire - WAOWF	Washington	17 air miles west of Mazama, WA	397	0%
Black Canyon - WASES	Washington	10 Miles NW, Naches, WA	7,500	0%
Cougar Creek Fire - WASES	Washington	1 mile west of Hwy 129 and Grand Ronde river intersection	13,511	26%
Big Horn Fire - WASES	Washington	7 miles SE of Bickleton Washington, and 7 miles N of Roosevelt, Washington	32,886	5%
Swawilla Fire - WACOA	Washington	North of Columbia River, East of Swawilla Basin, West of Hwy 21	12,634	0%
Pincer Two Fire - WAMSF	Washington	NA	10	0%
Bridge Creek - WACOA	Washington	North of Bridge Creek, East of Elbow River	2,398	0%

Source: Inciweb

Tags: Smoke Forecast 2024