Tracking Montana’s 2021 fire season
With an expansive drought drying out vegetation across the state, 2021 is shaping up to be a particularly active year for Montana wildfires — enough so that Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a statewide wildland fire emergency July 14. As the fire season progresses, Montana Free Press staff will update this page hourly with information on the location and size of fires reported across the state, as well air quality ratings for Montana communities with monitoring stations.
The display below includes wildfires tracked by the Inciweb incident information system and may exclude fires that aren’t reported through that system. Fire names in the table below link to more information on the Inciweb website.
More Montana fire coverage
Lungs on fire
Wildfire smoke is driving people indoors, raising fears of new COVID outbreak in low-vaccination areas.
MTFP launches MT Fire Report
As fire season progresses, Montana Free Press staff will update this page hourly with information on the location and size of fires reported across the state, as well air quality ratings for Montana communities with monitoring stations.
Gianforte sets wildfire priorities for ‘above-normal’ season
With drought conditions setting the stage, the governor wants to double forest thinning, logging and prescribed burning, and pushes for fires to be 'extinguished immediately.'
Double bind
Native Americans navigate twin threats of COVID-19 and wildfire.
Lingering concerns
Wildfires’ toxic air leaves damage long after the smoke clears
COVID plans put to the test as firefighters crowd camps
Multiple outbreaks could hamstring the nation’s ability to respond as wildfire season peaks in August, the hottest and driest month of the year in the western U.S.
Full-court suppress
Land managers anticipate pivot to 'fast and furious' wildfire strategy in light of COVID-19.
