The famous mountain vistas in Northwest Montana have been shrouded in smoke coming from faraway wildfires.

Smoky conditions are widespread across Montana due to fires in the Northwest, according to state meteorologist Kristen Martin of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. 

In addition to many fires previously burning, four new large fires ignited in Washington, Oregon and Idaho Wednesday along with numerous small fires.

No major fires are burning in Montana.

Cumulative air quality Thursday afternoon was rated as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in the Flathead Valley, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Butte and West Yellowstone and “moderate” in Libby, Seeley Lake, Missoula, Hamilton, Helena and Bozeman. 

Smoky conditions, particularly in Western Montana, are expected to continue through the weekend, Martin said in her afternoon smoke report.

“Mid-level winds will be from the west throughout the weekend and slowly shifting to the southwest by Sunday evening,” Martin said. “This puts Montana directly in line with the fires burning in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Gusty winds in the afternoon, as well as some scattered showers and thunderstorms, may briefly improve conditions on a local level, but hazy conditions will most likely persist.”

There currently are 27 uncontained large fires in Oregon, Idaho and Washington as firefighters battle hot, windy conditions and dry fuels. 

The Buzzard Complex fire in Oregon, currently the largest of the fires to the west, began on Monday and has covered 180,000 acres.  

A new fire that erupted Tuesday near Leavenworth, Washington, grew to cover 10 square miles, sent a smoke plume 25,000 feet into the air and forced the evacuation of 860 homes.

A cluster of fires in the Methow Valley near the town of Twisp, Washington, burned at least two homes Thursday.

 Online:

www.deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/default.mcpx