A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for much of north-central Montana — including the Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest and the Lincoln Ranger District — from Wednesday through Saturday evening, August 2, according to the National Weather Service office in Great Falls. The watch, issued early Wednesday morning, covers a broad swath of the region stretching from the Rocky Mountain Front east through Chouteau and Fergus counties.
The watch encompasses the Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District and both the central and eastern areas of the Helena National Forest — terrain that includes some of the most heavily used backcountry in Lewis and Clark County. Fire weather watches are issued when conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior, typically a combination of low humidity, high temperatures, and sustained winds.
Helena residents who use the forest for hiking, camping, or recreational access should check with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest before heading out this weekend. Open burning restrictions, if not already in place, could follow if conditions verify. The watch runs until 9:00 PM Saturday.