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Burn Recommendations

Last Updated: 2026-04-15 16:00:01.321516 MST
Idaho
All proposals approved. 
Montana
All proposals approved.

Meteorology/Dispersion Discussion

Last Updated: 2026-04-15 18:29:12.485043 MST

Dispersion Discussion April 16 2026

Dan Borsum NRCC Predictive Services Meteorologist  

Smoke Dispersion Maps and charts on the NRCC Website will be updated MTWTF. 

Thursday cold front working through the region but expect clouds and precipitation and cooler temperatures. Sufficient wind for FAIR to GOOD dispersion. 

Friday is cool but unstable and expect drier air to support better sunshine with low level warming. This should support GOOD to VERY GOOD dispersion in MT and central and southern ID. A few locations may see lighter winds like AS 8A and AS 14 and 15. 

Saturday high pressure moves into ID while low pressure exits MT to the east. Airmass becomes more stable over western ID as the high pressure moves in with winds aloft becoming light. POOR to FAIR over most of ID except FAIR to GOOD for parts of southeast ID. MT weaker inversion with more favorable pressure gradients for stronger winds with FAIR to GOOD dispersion despite cool temperatures. 

 
Resources
Current Operations Guide
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Idaho - Burn restrictions by county
Fire Cache smoke monitors
WSU modeling
Flathead County Restrictions
Missoula County Restrictions
Montana Burn Permits
Airnow Fire and Smoke Map

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