Fire warning--it's not over yet!

[Faster horses]

RED FLAG WARNING
Issue Date:2:27 PM Thu, Oct 19, 2017
Expiration:12:00 AM Sat, Oct 21, 2017...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
FRIDAY NIGHT...

The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from noon Friday to midnight MDT
Friday night.

* IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and a
rapid wind shift along a cold front will create erratic
conditions for any new fires.

* AFFECTED AREA:
In North Central WY Fire Zone....274.
In South Central MT Fire Zone....129.
In Southeast MT Fire Zones...130...131...132.
In Southeast MT and Northwest SD Fire Zone....133.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED:
In North Central WY...Sheridan.
In Northwest SD...Harding.
In South Central MT...Big Horn...Carbon...Yellowstone.
In Southeast MT...Carter...Custer...Fallon...Powder River
Rosebud...Treasure.

* TIMING: Cold front will move through the area Friday afternoon
and evening.

* WIND: Southwest 15 to 25 mph becoming northwest at 25 to 35 mph
with gusts up to 55 mph immediately behind the cold front.

* HUMIDITY: As low as 12 percent

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are
either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong
winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute
to extreme fire behavior.

 

[Workinonit]

I really hope, for everyone's sake, that nothing flares up for a long time. I think everyone affected has had about enough!

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

We had a bad wind Tuesday night, Fires started in the western part of the province in 60+ mile/hour winds. A young rancher from Walsh Alberta was killed when a water tanker he was driving rolled. Leaves a wife and a couple young kids behind. Terrible loss as he was a great advocate for the ranching industry.

 

[Nicky]

Very sad deal. Sounded like several families lost their places too.

 

[mrj]

I've worried about fire danger all day! Low last night was about 50%, and 80% now with a brisk breeze. There have been some rains in the area last Saturday. We got .81" and heard of some not too far away with 1.60" and more. Most deciduous leaves have fallen and much of the grass is quite short. There still are some sun flowers and maybe corn or other crops to be harvested, so plenty of opportunities for trouble. This is within 30 to 50 miles of Midland.

This time of year, people in this area need to drain anything holding water that could freeze, so hard to stay prepared unless one has a frost free building big enough to house a pickup with water tank set up for firefighting.

Hear some talk on radio of possible rain moving up from south maybe tonight. Sure hope it comes without lightning! There are some clouds giving off just filtered sunlight, but they don't yet look like they hold rain. We can hope!

mrj

 

[Faster horses]

Hoping and Praying for rain, and also praying for the family of the young firefighter who lost his life. :cry2: