Montana Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Montana - April 09, 2026

Overview

Montana is experiencing an early start to its fire season following a complex winter weather pattern. While the Northern Rockies received above-normal precipitation, an unusually warm start to 2026 has led to early snowpack melt-off. Residual soil moisture is aiding early-season conditions, but recent high winds and dry surface vegetation have sparked several large wildfires across the state. The current National Preparedness Level is 2, indicating that while national resources are available, wildland fire activity is increasing and requires coordinated management.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple active fires in Montana, primarily driven by high winds and dry fine fuels. Firefighters have made significant progress on several large incidents in the northwest, while new starts in the southeast have required active suppression and prompted local evacuations.

Key Fires:

• Boy Fire: Located north of Browning, this fire is the largest in the state, having blackened 12,000 acres. It is currently 85% contained. The fire was driven by extreme winds and fueled primarily by dry grasses and brush along the plains.
• Y Fire: Burning south of Browning, this fire has reached 6,000 acres and is 85% contained. Pushed by wind gusts up to 60 mph, the fire stretched 19 miles between Browning and Cut Bank, threatening local infrastructure before crews halted its forward progress. It is also fueled by grass and brush.
• Anderson Fire: A 3,300-acre fire burning southeast of Ashland near Tongue River Reservoir State Park.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Bitterroot National Forest is conducting prescribed burn operations from April 8 to 10 southeast of the intersection of Skalkaho Hwy and Forest Road 75. The project, called Hog Sapphire, aims to treat up to 2,000 acres using hand ignitions, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), and helicopters to reduce hazardous fuels and lower the likelihood of extreme wildfire behavior. Additionally, the Lolo National Forest is preparing and conducting spring prescribed fire projects to reduce hazardous fuels, restore wildlife habitat, and create better protection around communities from future wildfires.

Air Quality: Smoke from the prescribed burns will be visible from the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding areas. Residents are advised not to report this smoke as local authorities and 911 dispatch are aware of the operations.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A strong cold front is currently passing through the region. Southwest Montana is experiencing critical fire weather conditions, with relative humidity values dropping to 15-20% and sustained winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching 40 to 60 mph.
Forecasted Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for southwest Montana through the evening due to the combination of high winds, low humidity, and dry fuels. Following the wind event, a cooling trend with rain and snow showers is expected to move into northern and western areas, which should provide some relief to fire crews.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of fire traffic and potential smoke impacts. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place, prepare an emergency “Go Kit,” and clear dead brush from properties to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
Resource Allocation: Agencies are actively utilizing windows of favorable weather conditions—such as good soil moisture and upcoming precipitation—to conduct fuel mitigation projects and clear high-risk areas before the peak summer fire season.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:

• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
• Montana Wildfire Dashboard: mtfireinfo.org
• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC): dnrc.mt.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.