Labor Day: Devastating Dorian and Montana Wildfire Concerns

Hurricane Dorian has maximum sustained wind of 165mph and continues to batter the Bahamas. The northern Bahamas will never be the same after this catastrophic storm. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered from Florida to the Carolinas. Dorian has slowed to a crawl allowing for a prolonged lashing of wind, rain and storm surge on the Bahamas. The good news is the storm is now showing signs of a northward turn which would keep the eye and the eye wall off of the Florida coast. Hurricane force winds are still likely along the coast, and huge waves will create significant beach erosion as it moves north. This storm will be around this entire week as it slowly moves up along the east coast. The Carolinas could have a direct landfall by Thursday, and eastern New England could be brushed early this weekend.
Here in Montana the holiday weekend weather has been great for late summer: warm and dry. But it's those conditions that are concerning here on Labor Day. Stronger wind will develop this afternoon raising the fire danger. Montana is still in the middle of fire season. Existing wildfires have had some growth so far this weekend and have a significant potential of growing in the hot, dry and windy conditions today. Highs will warm into the 80s with west wind gusting as high as 30mph. Please be careful. The holiday weekend may be over after today but the heat will continue. Most of this week will be sunny, dry and warm with highs in the 80s. In these conditions the fire danger will continue. The next chance for rain will come Friday as significant moisture moves across the state. By that time our thirsty state will welcome the rain.
Have a great day and be safe.
Curtis Grevenitz