Wildfires

Bozeman, Belgrade, and Big Sky are just a few of the areas being inundated with wildfire smoke again on Tuesday morning. Many parts of Montana are feeling the weight of bad air quality because of the smoke.

Dangerously hot temperatures are forecasted for portions of both western and eastern Montana through Friday. We've already weathered weeks of hot, dry days and with daytime highs reaching 105 - fire danger and health risks are big concerns.

Almost the entire state of Montana is under some sort of heat and fire advisory on Thursday. Excessive heat continues for dozens of counties, and Red Flag Warning persist for huge chunks of Montana. Windy conditions are expected with some thunderstorm activity, increasing the chance of existing fires to grow.

Despite initial fears of a severe fire season, recent weather improvements in the Northern Rockies may reduce wildfire risks this summer.

Montana's snow drought triggers ski area closures, wildfire fears, and wildlife concerns.

It's not the worst we've ever seen, but a few more unlucky lightning strikes and Montana's wildfire season could explode. We're currently battling 77 active wildfires and they are for the most part in remote, hard to fight areas, with plenty of timber and fuel to burn.

Several wildfires have been reported in western Montana, one of them being the Colt Fire which is burning near Seeley Lake.