Montana wildfire smoke forecast

The map shows NOAA HRRR-Smoke near-surface PM2.5 for the next 48 hours, updated hourly, with active fire perimeters from NIFC and live AQI from EPA AirNow monitors. It opens over Billings. Search any town or use the buttons above.

Western Montana's mountain valleys (Missoula, Kalispell, Bozeman, Helena) are known for trapping dense smoke under inversions, sometimes for days. The eastern plains around Billings and Great Falls clear faster once the flow turns over.

Use the layer toggle to compare NOAA HRRR-Smoke with the ECCC FireWork model. When the two disagree, treat the higher reading as the cautious call.

Near-surface is the product that maps to what you breathe and to AQI, not the high-altitude column that only tints the sunset.