Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management

09/08/2026

Press Release – September 8, 2026

Outdoor burning in Ravalli County reopens today, Tuesday, September 8

Outdoor debris burning in Ravalli County has reopened today, Tuesday, September 8, effective immediately. The County Commissioners met earlier this morning to discuss outdoor burning and approved the move by resolution. The open burn ban had been in place since July 13.

From September 8 through November 30, fall outdoor burning will be open in Ravalli County on a day to day basis based upon current air quality restrictions and fire danger conditions. Please take note of the website link to view current burning status, and renew, obtain or activate your burn permit at no cost to you at https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit/. We ask that you do not call the 9-1-1 Center or Sheriff’s Office to inquire if outdoor burning is open, due to the high volume of calls for service that the Center handles.

Remember to check weather conditions prior to conducting any open burns, and be sure you have enough water, tools or equipment, and people to keep your fire under control. All outdoor fires must be attended until completely out. Burn permits are not required for warming or cooking fires less than four feet in diameter.

Information on outdoor burning and the Burn Permit System is available online at https://ravallicounty.gov/501/Burning-Permits .
# # #

09/08/2026

🔥The Fire Danger Level on the Bitterroot National Forest has been lowered from “High” to “Moderate” 🔥

The Fire Danger Level on the Bitterroot National Forest has been lowered from “High” to “Moderate” today September 7 due to recent weather conditions. The Bitterroot National Forest has received substantial wetting rain in the last several days along with cooler temperatures. This has prompted forest fire managers to reduce the fire danger level to Moderate.

Read more at https://nfs.fs2c.usda.gov/r01/bitterroot/newsroom/releases/bitterroot-national-forest-lowers-fire-danger-level-moderate

Ravalli County Sheriff's Office
Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management
Fire In the Root

09/02/2026

It was an honor and privilege this year to support Ravalli County Public Health in hosting the 2026 Ravalli County Fair Parade. There is not enough room here to thank everyone who made this possible. However, I do want to call out just a few. First, thank you to all of this year’s parade participants – you made this event a great success. Thank you to all of the volunteers who donated many, many hours of their time, resources, vehicles and fuel to support the efforts. Thank you to our Commissioners Chilcott, Huls, and Burrows and to Sheriff Holton for their support. Thank you to the leadership and employees of the City of Hamilton, MT for all of their work in organizing and marking the parade route. And last but certainly not least, a big thank you to Ravalli County Public Health Director Tiffany Webber for her strong and dedicated leadership in coordinating and directing the parade – this could not have been done without you. We hope all who came to enjoy the parade had a great time!

Erik Hoover
OEM Director

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

08/22/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Missoula MT on this developing situation.

SUMMARY:
--------
The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Missoula MT on this developing situation.

AFFECTS: Deerlodge/Western Beaverhead National Forest

INSTRUCTION: Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of
this Red Flag Warning.

Make and maintain your go kit. Is it ready to go? Are there any
materials you need to refresh? Visit ready.gov/kit.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that
promote rapid spread of fire which may become life-threatening. This
does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring
now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to
receive information from authorities.

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/c37CAZH

URGENCY: Past

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Observed

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/22/26 9:08 AM MST

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/23/26 9:00 PM MST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------
The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Missoula MT on this developing situation.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/c37CAZH

08/22/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Red Flag Warning issued August 22 at 9:08AM MDT until August 23 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

SUMMARY:
--------..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR FLATHEAD RESERVATION AND EAST
BEAVERHEAD...
..RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT
SUNDAY DUE TO LIGHTNING FOR KOOTENAI AND WEST LOLO...
..RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM MDT SUNDAY DUE TO
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DEERLODGE/WEST BEAVERHEAD...
..
Antecedent conditions have been very dry and warm. The Kootenai
Forest especially has received well below normal precipitation since
early July. Thunderstorms with little to no precipitation Saturday
evening and overnight will be followed Sunday with a dry cold front.
Increased winds and lowering relative humidities behind the front on
Sunday will bring critical fire weather conditions to southwest
Montana across Fire Weather Zone 110.

The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Red Flag
Warning in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Sunday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 110.

* TIMING...From 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Sunday.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
burning is not recommended.

AFFECTS: Deerlodge/Western Beaverhead National Forest

INSTRUCTION: Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of
this Red Flag Warning.

Make and maintain your go kit. Is it ready to go? Are there any
materials you need to refresh? Visit ready.gov/kit.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that
promote rapid spread of fire which may become life-threatening. This
does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring
now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to
receive information from authorities.

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/PDDiWMf

URGENCY: Expected

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Likely

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/22/26 9:08 AM MST

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/23/26 8:00 PM MST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR FLATHEAD RESERVATION AND EAST
BEAVERHEAD...
..RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM MDT
SUNDAY DUE TO LIGHTNING FOR KOOTENAI AND WEST LOLO...
..RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM MDT SUNDAY DUE TO
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DEERLODGE/WEST BEAVERHEAD...
..
Antecedent conditions have been very dry and warm. The Kootenai
Forest especially has received well below normal precipitation since
early July. Thunderstorms with little to no precipitation Saturday
evening and overnight will be followed Sunday with a dry cold front.
Increased winds and lowering relative humidities behind the front on
Sunday will bring critical fire weather conditions to southwest
Montana across Fire Weather Zone 110.

The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Red Flag
Warning in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Sunday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 110.

* TIMING...From 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Sunday.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
burning is not recommended.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/PDDiWMf

08/21/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Fire Weather Watch issued August 21 at 4:30PM MDT until August 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

SUMMARY:
--------..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING DUE TO LIGHTNING FOR KOOTENAI, WEST LOLO, AND FLATHEAD
RESERVATION...
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY
EVENING DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DEERLODGE/WEST
BEAVERHEAD AND EAST BEAVERHEAD...
..
Antecedent conditions have been very dry and warm. The Kootenai
Forest especially has received well below normal precipitation since
early July. Thunderstorms with little to no precipitation Saturday
evening and overnight will be followed Sunday with a dry cold front.
Increased winds and lowering relative humidities behind the front on
Sunday will potentially bring critical fire weather conditions to
southwest Montana.

The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Fire Weather
Watch.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 110 and 111.

* TIMING...From Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any new or existing fires may spread rapidly.

AFFECTS: Deerlodge/Western Beaverhead National Forest; Eastern Beaverhead National Forest

INSTRUCTION: Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of
this Fire Weather Watch.

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/iTy6RSR

URGENCY: Future

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Possible

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/21/26 4:30 PM MST

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/23/26 9:00 PM MST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING DUE TO LIGHTNING FOR KOOTENAI, WEST LOLO, AND FLATHEAD
RESERVATION...
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY
EVENING DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DEERLODGE/WEST
BEAVERHEAD AND EAST BEAVERHEAD...
..
Antecedent conditions have been very dry and warm. The Kootenai
Forest especially has received well below normal precipitation since
early July. Thunderstorms with little to no precipitation Saturday
evening and overnight will be followed Sunday with a dry cold front.
Increased winds and lowering relative humidities behind the front on
Sunday will potentially bring critical fire weather conditions to
southwest Montana.

The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Fire Weather
Watch.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 110 and 111.

* TIMING...From Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any new or existing fires may spread rapidly.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/iTy6RSR

08/21/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Fire Weather Watch issued August 21 at 10:39AM MDT until August 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

SUMMARY:
--------..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING DUE TO LIGHTNING FOR KOOTENAI, WEST LOLO, AND FLATHEAD
RESERVATION...
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY
EVENING DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DEERLODGE/WEST
BEAVERHEAD AND EAST BEAVERHEAD...
..
Antecedent conditions have been very dry and warm. The Kootenai
Forest especially has received well below normal precipitation since
early July. Thunderstorms with little to no precipitation Saturday
evening and overnight will be followed Sunday with a dry cold front
increasing winds and lowering relative humidities.

The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Fire Weather
Watch.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 110 and 111.

* TIMING...From Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any new or existing fires may spread rapidly.

AFFECTS: Deerlodge/Western Beaverhead National Forest; Eastern Beaverhead National Forest

INSTRUCTION: Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of
this Fire Weather Watch.

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/ZFdfhjW

URGENCY: Future

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Possible

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/21/26 10:39 AM MST

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/23/26 9:00 PM MST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING DUE TO LIGHTNING FOR KOOTENAI, WEST LOLO, AND FLATHEAD
RESERVATION...
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY
EVENING DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR DEERLODGE/WEST
BEAVERHEAD AND EAST BEAVERHEAD...
..
Antecedent conditions have been very dry and warm. The Kootenai
Forest especially has received well below normal precipitation since
early July. Thunderstorms with little to no precipitation Saturday
evening and overnight will be followed Sunday with a dry cold front
increasing winds and lowering relative humidities.

The National Weather Service in Missoula MT has issued a Fire Weather
Watch.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 110 and 111.

* TIMING...From Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any new or existing fires may spread rapidly.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/ZFdfhjW