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The Daily Insight

How many fires are burning in Montana

Author

Zoe Patterson

Published Apr 21, 2026

Since January 1, there have been an estimated 2,160 fire starts in Montana, burning a total of about 827,000 acres. Officials estimate approximately 50 residences have been lost to fire this year to date.

How many fires are burning in Montana now?

Currently, there are 25 large fire incidents in Montana.

How many fires does Montana have in 2021?

So far in 2021, Montana has had 2,160 fire starts burning a total of around 827,000 acres. The release from the governor’s office said more than 70 new fires have started since Gianforte’s briefing last Tuesday. According to officials, fires in Montana have destroyed approximately 50 residences in 2021.

Are there fires burning in Montana?

FireSizeContainmentHaystack Fire24,011 acres93% containedTaylor22,909 acres100% containedAmerican Fork Fire21,892 acres76% containedPine Grove16,004 acres98% contained

How many fires are there in Montana?

A total of 482,000 acres have burned across Montana since January 1, 2021; more than 260,000 of those acres are just since last Monday. As of Tuesday morning (August 3), there are 24 large fire incidents in Montana.

Where is the smoke in western Montana coming from?

According to DEQ, “the elevated particulate levels in the air are due to smoke from wildfires burning in Montana and out-of-state.” Moderate to unhealthy air quality is expected throughout the day and into Friday.

What fires are in Montana?

NameTypeSizeKNP ComplexWildfire88,307 AcresNorth 207 FireWildfire23,810 AcresParker Creek FireWildfire11,067 AcresArrowhead FireWildfire6,300 Acres

Are there fires in Yellowstone right now?

Fire danger is LOW in Yellowstone.

Does Montana have forests?

Montana’s national forests contain most of the state’s designated wilderness areas and Western Montana claims more than 8 million acres of national forestland made up of jagged mountains, rolling foothills, pristine woodlands, sparkling lakes and rivers and remote wilderness.

Are there fires near Whitefish Montana?

While there are no active fires in the immediate area, smoke from outside the area can cause smoky conditions in Whitefish and the Flathead Valley. Fire danger is currently “Very High” in Whitefish, Glacier National Park and the surrounding areas.

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What started the fire in Montana?

The fire was burning in grass, sage brush and cottonwood trees along the Bighorn River and was about 20% contained Sunday. Authorities believe the blaze was started by a burning coal seam.

Are there any fire restrictions in Montana?

The following acts are prohibited until further notice: Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

How did the fire start in Montana?

Hundreds of people in the central Montana town of Denton have been forced to flee flames pushed by strong winds. … Downed power lines are believed to be the cause of a fire that started north of Stanford on Tuesday night and spread to Denton by early Wednesday afternoon.

Where is the smoke coming from in Livingston Montana?

Chambers said a small cold front in eastern Montana caused lower elevation winds to push fires from Billings into the western Montana foothills, contributing to the local smoke.

Where is the Alder Creek fire in Montana?

The Alder Creek Fire started on July 8, 2021 approximately 7 miles West of Wise River, Montana, in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The cause of the Alder Creek Fire has not been determined.

Is the fire ban lifted in Montana?

The repeal lifts the general ban against building and tending campfires, smoking outdoors near flammable materials and using motorized vehicles off of designated trails. The decision followed a collective agreement between fire managers that the restrictions were no longer needed in northwest Montana.

What are Stage 1 fire restrictions in Montana?

Stage ISmoking *No, unless within an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site, or area 3 feet in diameter cleared of all flammable materialsOperating any internal combustion engine **N/AWelding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame **N/A

What is Stage 2 fire restriction in Montana?

Under Stage II Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited: Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.

Is the smoke bad in Montana?

1. UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH IMPACTS. Wildfire smoke is our most significant source of air pollution in western Montana and it is nasty business. … Even if you are not in a high-risk category (children, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and pregnant people), the smoke is bad for you.

What state has the best air quality?

  • Hawaii. Hawaii has an air quality index of 21.2, the cleanest average air in the U.S. This is well in the good air quality index range. …
  • Alaska. …
  • Washington. …
  • Oregon. …
  • Maine. …
  • Utah. …
  • Ohio. …
  • Georgia.

Why is it smoky in Yellowstone?

The largest source of particulate matter in Greater Yellowstone is smoke from wildland fires, which is considered part of the area’s “natural background conditions” and is taken into consideration in establishing the threshold for “good” visibility. Emissions from prescribed fires have been relatively insignificant.

Are there jungles in Montana?

Did you know Montana has a rainforest? Tucked up in the most northwestern corner of Montana (bordering Canada and Idaho) is the Yaak Valley, with an incredible wildlife population and beautiful spots to camp.

What is the biggest forest in Montana?

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, spanning eight counties in Southwest Montana, is the largest national forest in the state. It encompasses 3.35-million-acres or approximately similar square footage as Connecticut.

What is the tree line in Montana?

LocationApprox. latitudeApprox. elevation of tree line(ft)Southern Urals55°N3,600Canadian Rockies51°N7,900Tatra Mountains49°N5,200

Where are the fires in Wyoming and Montana?

— The Crooked Creek Fire burning in the Pryor Mountains near the Wyoming-Montana border about 25 miles east of Bridger, Montana has burned about 5,100 acres and remains 0% contained, according to a Friday morning update from Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Are there fires burning in Wyoming right now?

There are no large fires burning in Wyoming right now.

Is there a fire in Utah right now?

There are currently no large, uncontained fires burning in Utah.

Are fires affecting Glacier National Park?

Hay Creek Fire Information No areas in Glacier National Park are closed at this time. Bowman and Kintla Lake Campgrounds remain open, but campers as well as day use visitors to the North Fork need to be aware of the potential for changing conditions. Smoke from fires to the west of the park is currently thick at times.

Is Glacier National Park Smokey?

Current smoke levels in Glacier National Park vary depending on the time of day and your location in the park. The smoke is coming from the #SpragueFire and from other fires throughout the Northwest and Canada. I was there yesterday… 7 hour drive to get there, very smokey but still very beautiful.

Why is there smoke in Whitefish Montana?

Whitefish has smoke blowing in from the Eureka area but also from a huge brand new fire near Creston British Columbia west along the border. So a lot depends more on wind currents and atmospheric pressure changes than our exact local weather. The smoke just north of the border crossing two days ago was incredible.

Did rain help Montana fires?

Substantial rainfall and cool temperatures finally arrived in Montana at the end of last week, bringing with it some long prayed for relief to the communities under threat from the flames, along with the thousands of firefighters fighting to halt dozens of wildfires burning across the state.