Smoke Forecast for Friday, September 26, 2025 9:45 AM

Current Conditions

Thanks to unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity, and gusty afternoon winds, regional wildfire activity increased on Thursday.

The Windy Rock fire, burning 15 miles northeast of Drummond, perked up on Thursday. Westerly transport winds will send some surface smoke into Lewis and Clark County in the coming days. The Windy Rock has grown to 6,096 acres and is 68% contained. The Salmon Forks fire, burning just east of Big Salmon Lake, exhibited active fire behavior on Thursday. The Isabella fire, burning about 20 miles south of Libby, was also active on Thursday. It has burned 1,095 acres and is 0% contained. Westerly transport winds will continue to send smoke into portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties through at least Saturday. There are also numerous active wildfires burning in central Idaho. The most active of the group is the Island Creek fire. It has burned 14,943 acres and is only 7% contained.

At 9:00 AM Friday, Hamilton, Thompson Falls, Missoula, Frenchtown, Helena, Sleeping Giant, Malta, Seeley Lake, and Glasgow’s air quality is Moderate. Columbia Falls’ air is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

By Saturday afternoon, the Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) smoke model shows heavier surface smoke covering northwest Montana from regional wildfires.

Source: RRFS-smoke

Forecast

Friday will be noticeably cooler and breezier than prior days thanks to a fast-moving cold front. Numerous fires in Montana, Idaho, and Washington have become more active lately, pumping smoke into much of western Montana. The front has very little moisture associated with it and the main impacts from this system will be a short period of increased smoke and gusty afternoon winds. The gusty winds will result in more active fire behavior and increased smoke production on regional wildfires.

A trough of low pressure digs off the coast of Washington and Oregon this weekend. It will force a ridge of high pressure to build over the Treasure State. The ridge will allow temperatures to slowly moderate over the weekend and highs will once again reach 10-15 degrees above normal. Expect the usual diurnal impacts to smoke production as smoke drains and pools overnight, bringing deteriorating air quality to communities adjacent to active wildfires.

The trough gradually moves into Montana late Sunday and Monday. Chances for thunderstorms will increase each day through Wednesday. Clouds, cooler temperatures, and precipitation should help to moderate fire behavior and decrease smoke production. Stay tuned!

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.

Thursday afternoon’s satellite image shows numerous active wildfires burning in Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Source: NOAA

Tags: Smoke Forecast 2025