Montana Wildfires Expand Amid Weather Changes, Affecting Air Quality
Wildfires in Montana have been expanding due to moderating temperatures, with the most active fires burning in the Pioneer and Sapphire Mountains. The Bobcat Lakes and Sand Creek Fires have each grown to over 1,000 acres. An incident meteorologist has been ordered for the Bobcat Lakes Fire to provide additional support. The Moose Fire, located in the Sapphire Mountains between Georgetown Lake and the Bitterroot Valley, has shown active fire behavior. Additionally, several fires are burning on the Idaho side of the Bitterroot Mountains, contributing to smoky skies over Ravalli, Mineral, and Missoula Counties. Air quality alerts were lifted early Wednesday as cumulative air quality values remained below 35 ug/m3. However, a ridge of high pressure is expected to build, leading to a warming trend and potentially more active wildfires.