NWS Billings MTFW.W 0013October 4, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Gallatin National Forest and Wheatland County/Sweet Grass County, MT
The National Weather Service office in Billings issued a red flag warning for Gallatin National Forest and Wheatland County/Sweet Grass County in Montana, in force until 8:00 p.m. local time on October 5. It was the 13th red flag warning the NWS office in Billings issued in 2026. Montana had 1 red flag warning in October 2026, against 3 in an average October of 2008-2025 (Montana's red flag warnings by year).
Warning
In force for 10 hours
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Billings MT
- Area
- Gallatin National Forest and Wheatland County/Sweet Grass County
- State
- Montana
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 12:40 p.m. MDT, October 4, 2026
- In force from
- 10:00 a.m. MDT, October 5, 2026
- Expires
- 8:00 p.m. MDT, October 5, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Severe, Likely, Expected
- VTEC event
- KBYZ FW.W 0013
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
Red Flag Warnings in Montana since 2008Every warning type in Montana
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and gusty winds will create erratic fire behavior for new or existing fires. * AFFECTED AREA: In South Central MT Fire Zones...123...124. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In Central MT...Wheatland. In South Central MT...Park...Sweet Grass. In Southwest MT...Gallatin. * WIND: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 12 percent. * TEMPERATURES: up to 87 degrees. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The worst conditions are expected across the lower to mid elevations in fine fuels.
What the agency told people to do
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.