The National Weather Service has escalated its fire weather coverage sharply over the past 24 hours, issuing 37 active Red Flag Warnings across 11 states — up from 22 warnings covering nine states on Tuesday — as critical conditions intensify and spread into new territory.
Texas and Wyoming have been added to the warning footprint since yesterday, joining Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah under active alerts.
Northern Plains: High Winds Drive the Core Threat
North Dakota is at the center of today’s outbreak. The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for western and much of central North Dakota, citing southeasterly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts reaching up to 45 mph and minimum relative humidity dropping to critical levels. The affected zone spans dozens of counties, including Burleigh, Morton, Stark, McKenzie, Dunn, Williams, Mountrail, McLean, Mercer, and Golden Valley, among others. Residents in Bismarck and surrounding communities face elevated ignition risk through today.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service has also issued a Fire Weather Watch for all of western and central North Dakota for Thursday through Friday — signaling the multi-day pattern is not yet breaking.
Montana’s Forests and River Breaks in the Warning Zone
Montana’s alert zone encompasses significant public land, including the Deerlodge and Western Beaverhead National Forest, the Eastern Beaverhead National Forest, the Little Rockies, and the Lower Missouri River Breaks — including the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The Fort Peck Reservation and counties including Dawson, McCone, Prairie, Richland, and Wibaux are also flagged. The Northern and Southern Phillips and Valley counties are under separate warnings covering additional stretches of the high plains.
Minnesota’s Western Counties Remain at Risk
The warning footprint extends across Minnesota’s western tier, from Kittson and Roseau counties in the far northwest through Clay, Norman, and Mahnomen, and into the west-central counties of Swift, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine, and Lac Qui Parle. The pattern mirrors conditions across the broader Plains region: low relative humidity paired with persistent winds.
What to Expect Through the Week
The issuance of a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday and Friday in North Dakota suggests conditions will not improve materially before the weekend. The National Weather Service notes that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Land managers and residents across the affected region should avoid any outdoor burning until warnings are lifted.