Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Management

09/03/2026

PEAK THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS FROM TODAY (9/2/26) AS OF 7PM. Only recorded wind gusts of 65 mph or greater are shown.

Great Falls had the strongest wind gust with a peak gust of 83 mph. Many locations recorded wind gusts of at least 58 mph today.

The worst of the wind is now done with, but it left plenty of damage from downed trees and power lines to roof damage and vegetation fires.

09/02/2026

[Wednesday, 9/2/2026] ⛈️ Did anyone have damage from this afternoon’s storm?

If you have photos of storm damage, please share them in the comments below and include the general location where the photo was taken.

09/02/2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Missoula MT
134 PM MDT Wed Sep 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northeastern Deer Lodge County in west central Montana...
East Central Granite County in west central Montana...
South Central Powell County in west central Montana...
Central Silver Bow County in west central Montana...

* Until 200 PM MDT.

* At 134 PM MDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 8 miles east of Philipsburg to 8 miles south of Silver Bow, or along a line from 18 miles west of Deer Lodge to 11 miles southwest of Butte, moving north at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and hail up to 1".

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include... Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Butte, Silver Bow, Walkerville, Warm Springs, Galen, Gregson Hot Springs, West Valley, Opportunity, Crackerville, Racetrack, Lost Creek, Ramsay, Nissler, Newcomb and Janney.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. These storms are capable of producing damaging winds.

&&

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...

Send a message to learn more

09/02/2026

We are tracking widespread showers and thunderstorms (already ongoing this morning in north-central Idaho) moving across the Northern Rockies today! ⛈️
Storms will push northeastward from Idaho into Western Montana by early to mid-afternoon.
💨 Wind: Erratic outflow gusts of 30–50 mph are expected with passing storms.
🌧️ Rain: Brief heavy rainfall is likely, with rates up to 0.5 inches per hour.

08/31/2026

🚧 CLOSURES STILL IN EFFECT 🚧

Area closures surrounding the Bobcat Lakes, Sand Creek, and Moose fires remain in effect to safeguard public welfare, secure unencumbered access for emergency personnel and equipment, and facilitate safe fire suppression and repair operations.

🔥A substantial amount of active fire still exists on the landscape across the three fire areas, resulting in the presence of fire suppression resources and potential smoke impacts. Crews, engines, and heavy equipment require safe ground zones in which to operate, as do helicopters and drones above.

💨 While diminished smoke and visible fire activity may suggest a reduction in overall risk, substantial hazards still exist and may persist after the flames are gone. The current fire and post-fire landscapes present several critical safety concerns.

🪾 Standing dead trees (“snags”) remain structurally compromised and could fall without notice, especially during windy conditions. Stump holes, unstable ground, rock falls, fire-weakened or killed hazard trees, downed trees, and potential debris flows can also occur.

🚧 Closures allow resource protection, emergency stabilization, and infrastructure repair teams to operate safely and efficiently. Restricting access allows these teams to safely assess environmental impacts and repair infrastructure.

‼️ Closures accelerate the recovery process and expedite the eventual reopening of the area.

ℹ Agency officials are actively coordinating with fire management staff and resource specialists to monitor conditions. Closures will be modified or rescinded only after all hazards are thoroughly mitigated.

ℹ Changes and updates to closures will be posted to the Forest pages and website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/beaverhead-deerlodge/alerts







Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office
Granite County Sheriff's Office
Montana DNRC
Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Management
Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department
Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

08/29/2026

Wildfire Update- Aug. 28 p.m.

🔥CRYSTAL
The fire is located two miles south of Skalkaho Pass and just south of Crystal Creek Campground. Six smokejumpers completed line construction and "mop-up" operations of residual heat. The fire is estimated at less than 1/2 acre in size and is 100% contained.

🔥BOOT
Located approximately eight miles northeast of Polaris, the lightning-caused fire is burning a single tree on the top of a knife ridge in extremely steep and rocky terrain. Firefighters observed minimal fire activity with little visible smoke today. The fire is estimated at 1/10 acre in size.

🔥DICKIE PEAK
The Dickie Peak area received a significant amount of lightning, resulting in six confirmed fire starts approximately six miles north of Wise River. The lightning-caused fires are burning in mixed conifer fuels. Nine smokejumpers, assisted by helicopter water bucket drops, have completed line construction around four of the fires; they will continue with line construction and "mop-up" of hotspots. The largest fire is approximately 1.5 acres, with all others estimated at 1/10 acre each.

🔥WHISKEY GULCH
Located three miles west of the Pipestone Exit off Interstate 90, FS engines responded to a fire burning on BLM lands under FS protection. The fire is estimated at 1/10 an acre and is 100% contained.

🔥POLE
Located just southwest of the Whiskey Gulch fire, also on BLM lands protected by the FS, the fire is estimated at 1/10 of an acre and is 100% contained.




Follow Montana DNRC for fires under state protection and response, including the Roe 2 fire.

Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Discover Bitterroot National Forest
Granite County Sheriff's Office
Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Management
Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department
Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas

08/27/2026

When thunder roars head indoors! ⚡️⚡️

08/27/2026

Great reminder how important it is to make sure chains aren't dragging!

Only you can prevent wildfires! 🐻

08/27/2026

Reminder: When thunder roars head indoors! ⚡️⚡️