National Weather ServiceMontanaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Montana
The National Weather Service issued 4 fire weather watches for Montana in 2025 and 24 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 11th most of any state. 2026 through September: 31, 39% above the average of 22 for those months in 2008-2025. Dawson/McCone/Prairie/Richland/Wibaux Counties was covered most often (100 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Montana get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Montana. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 31 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2012 | 74 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2008 | 29 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Montana get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Montana?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson/McCone/Prairie/Richland/Wibaux Counties | 100 | 16 | September 10, 2026 |
| Southern Petroleum and Southern Garfield Counties | 96 | 20 | September 10, 2026 |
| The Lower Missouri River Breaks including the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge | 96 | 19 | August 8, 2026 |
| Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty | 92 | 9 | August 1, 2026 |
| Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas | 86 | 6 | August 7, 2026 |
| Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front | 85 | 7 | August 1, 2026 |
| The Little Rockies | 84 | 14 | August 6, 2026 |
| Chouteau and Fergus Counties | 83 | 7 | August 1, 2026 |
| Hill and Blaine Counties | 78 | 8 | August 1, 2026 |
| Northern Valley and Northern Phillips Counties | 76 | 14 | August 6, 2026 |
| Fort Peck Reservation and Daniels/Roosevelt/Sheridan Counties | 74 | 12 | August 6, 2026 |
| Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest | 73 | 8 | August 7, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Montana.