Wildfires churning out dense plumes of smoke as they scorch part of the U.S. West Coast have exposed more than 8 million people to hazardous pollution levels.
With all of the smoke in the air around Montana lately, you may have wondered about the health risks. Here's what the CDC and Montana DEQ say about it.
Again today, dry thunderstorms and gusty winds are the enemies for the Bozeman area and many counties in Montana. Fire danger is quite high in some areas.
Wednesday (9/4) could be the hottest day of the year in Billings. Some forecasts predict it could hit 103 in the Magic City, with no chance of rain. High wind gusts are also likely on Wednesday making conditions perfect for wildfires.
In Montana, fire officials expressed frustration that about half of the people told to leave 400 homes and two state campgrounds threatened by the fire did not heed the evacuation warning issued over the weekend.
That emerging reality is prompting people in cities and rural areas alike to prepare for another summer of sooty skies along the West Coast and in the Rocky Mountains.