Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag Warning for hot temperatures, gusty winds, low relative humidity, and a cold frontal wind shift, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to midnight MDT tonight. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Hill and Blaine Counties, Chouteau and Fergus Counties and Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas.

* TIMING...Hot, dry, and windy conditions may begin as early as late morning. A cold front will move southeast across the plains between mid-afternoon and late evening.

* TEMPERATURES...Highs in the upper 80s to upper 90s.

* WINDS...West to northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph, shifting more northerly between mid-afternoon and late evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any new fire starts could be difficult to contain.

* AFFECTED AREAS: HILL AND BLAINE COUNTIES ... CHOUTEAU AND FERGUS COUNTIES ... CENTRAL AND EASTERN LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST AREAS

Instructions:

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop within the next 6 to 12 hours. A combination of strong shifting winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these areas of this Red Flag Warning.