While the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a quiet late-October fire weather pattern, fire managers in the Northern Rockies are on high alert this Friday. Red flag warnings are active today across portions of Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas as a potent weather system brings dangerous fire conditions to the northern Great Plains — even as PNW forests soak in cool autumn rain.

Active Red Flag Warnings: October 23, 2026

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Sheridan County, Montana, running from noon through 9:00 p.m. local time today. Forecasters say a combination of dry air, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds will make new wildfires start easily and become extremely difficult to control during the afternoon hours.

The National Weather Service in Riverton, Wyoming issued an additional Red Flag Warning for north-central Wyoming fire zones valid through 8:00 p.m. MDT, warning of erratic fire behavior potential associated with an approaching cold front. The front's wind shift could dramatically and unpredictably alter fire spread direction during the afternoon — one of the most dangerous scenarios for ground crews working active fire perimeters.

Portions of Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming are also covered under the warnings issued early this morning, with the National Weather Service noting the combination of low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds could cause "erratic fire behavior and difficult control of new or existing fires."

What Makes Today Dangerous

  • Humidity: Critically low relative humidity values in the teens and single digits across affected zones during afternoon hours
  • Wind: Sustained winds 20–35 mph with gusts potentially exceeding 50 mph in exposed terrain and ridge tops
  • Temperature: Unseasonably warm — daytime highs running 10–15°F above normal for late October
  • Fuel moisture: Cured, dry grasses and rangeland vegetation carrying over from the summer's drought conditions
  • Cold front wind shift: An approaching cold front will cause rapid, erratic wind direction changes, creating unpredictable fire spread behavior

PNW: A Very Different Picture

In stark contrast to the Northern Rockies, the Pacific Northwest is enjoying benign fire weather conditions as of October 23. No red flag warnings or fire weather watches are in effect for Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. Moisture-rich Pacific systems have delivered soaking rains across much of Idaho, and near-freezing overnight temperatures in Washington's Cascade Range are suppressing any remaining fire activity.

The PNW's fire season effectively ended weeks ago from a weather standpoint. Oregon's Ochoco National Forest and other central Oregon units have enough fall precipitation in the forecast to support ongoing prescribed burn planning. Washington's Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is capitalizing on the calm window to advance fall burning operations.

Looking Ahead

The Red Flag event in the Northern Rockies is expected to be short-lived. The approaching cold front will bring moisture and wind relief to Montana and Wyoming by late Friday evening. For the PNW, drier conditions return this weekend, though fire danger is expected to remain suppressed through the end of October as temperatures stay well below summer levels.

Residents in the Northern Rockies should remain extremely vigilant through this afternoon. If you observe a new smoke column or fire, call 911 immediately — do not attempt to fight a wildfire yourself. Ensure no equipment, vehicles, or activities generate sparks in dry grass.