Weather Service: elevated fire concerns

National Weather Service today issued a warning that fire concerns are elevated in the region, and urged people to use extreme caution not to create any sparks.

The warning lists the highest concern in most of Hill and Blaine counties and part of northwestern Chouteau County, eastern Liberty and western Phillips county, with the highest warning — severe fire danger — on the southern Hill-Blaine counties border and in central and northern Blaine County and northern Phillips County.

The elevated concerns are especially in the area from Havre to Harlem, the statement says. Any fires that develop in the five-county region listed could be difficult to contain, the warning says.

The warning, issued late Sunday, says gusty west winds, low humidity and very warm temperatures are expected in the region.

The forecast in the region for the first part of this week calls for highs in the 80s with gusty winds, and no precipitation in the forecast through midweek.

A chance of showers and rain is in the forecast for the region by Thursday and Friday.

For updates, the warning says, people can check the National Weather Service Great Falls office Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSGreatFalls and its Twitter account at https://twitter.com/NWSGreatFalls/.