What’s Burning in Southwest Montana and How It’s Affecting Butte

Right now, several wildfires across Montana are contributing to the hazy skies you're seeing in Butte. Notably:

• The Bivens Creek Fire in the Tobacco Root Mountains, about 15 miles north of Virginia City, has charred around 3.5 square miles and tragically claimed the life of a firefighter during suppression efforts.

• The McAllister Fire, sparked by lightning on August 16 south of Norris near Ennis Lake, has burned roughly 3,500 acres and is estimated to be about 50% contained.

  Other regional blazes—like the Mission Butte Fire and others cataloged in the 2025 Montana wildfire summary—are also fueling smoke that drifts into the Butte area.. As a result, particulates from these fires are drifting into Butte, creating the hazy conditions you're experiencing.

How This Smoke Affects Our Health

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter that can slide deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream, triggering inflammation. It can impact the heart, lungs, and immune system, and worsen existing conditions—even if you’re not in a high-risk group.

Who’s Most Vulnerable—and How to Stay Safe

At higher risk are children, whose lungs are still developing and who tend to breathe more air per pound of body weight.  Also at higher risk are  older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with existing heart or lung conditions. People with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory issues should also exercise caution during these smoky days.

Practical steps for everyone:

1. Monitor air quality online—use Montana DEQ’s “Smoke Forecasts,” the “Today’s Air” visibility tool, or the AirNow maps.

2. Gauge visibility: if you can’t see 5 miles, the air is “Unhealthy”; less than 2 miles is “Very Unhealthy/Hazardous”

3. Limit outdoor activity, especially vigorous exercise.

4. Create a clean indoor air zone—keep doors and windows shut, run a HEPA air purifier or use a DIY setup with a box fan and furnace filter.

5. Use N95 or equivalent masks if you must go outside.

6. Observe everyone’s health—watch for symptoms like coughing, breathing trouble, headaches, eye irritation, or fatigue.

Vulnerable Groups—Tips for Staying Healthy

• Children: Keep them indoors and reduce physical activity.

• Pregnant people: Avoid smoke; ensure your indoor air is as clean as possible.

• People with respiratory or heart conditions, and older adults: Stay indoors during heavy smoke, consider visiting an air-conditioned building or community center with clean air.

• Everyone: Stay hydrated, rest, and don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

These smoky days are a tough reminder of how interconnected wildfire activity and air quality are. Stay safe, check in with neighbors, and keep air clean indoors—especially if someone in your home is vulnerable.