FIRE SAFETY

Wildfires are part of life in the West, including Big Sky. The safety of our community depends on residents and visitors alike being prepared and educated on emergency procedures and wildfire prevention

Before your trip, check the Big Sky Wildfire Hub for the current fire danger rating and register for real-time alerts. The best way to stay informed while you're here is to text BIGSKY to 888777 to receive emergency notifications. Your enrollment for alerts will automatically expire after 30 days.

Fire Adapted Big Sky Wildfire Hub

Your go-to source for wildfire conditions and ratings, emergency info, air quality, and evacuation updates.

Gallatin County Emergency Notification System

Both residents and visitors are encouraged to sign up to receive alerts about wildfires, road closures, and severe weather.

Big Sky’s forests, meadows, and mountain air are a huge part of what makes this place unforgettable. But they’re also vulnerable. Preventing wildfires is a shared effort, and it starts with simple, thoughtful actions from every visitor.

Join us in keeping Big Sky safe by following these tips:

Respect all fire restrictions.
Burn bans are in place for a reason. If fires aren’t allowed, don’t light one, no exceptions.

Use designated fire rings only.
Stick to established rings at approved campsites. Never build your own.

Never leave a fire unattended.
Drown it, stir it, and feel it with the back of your hand. If it’s not cool to the touch, it’s not out-out.

Avoid fires on windy days.
Even a small breeze can send embers into dry grass and forest.

Skip the fireworks.
National forests do not allow fireworks, and for good reason. They’re not worth the risk, and often prohibited.

Buy firewood locally.
Bringing in wood from other areas can carry invasive pests and diseases into our forests.

Report smoke or unattended fires.
If you see something, say something. Quick action can prevent disaster.

What does the National Fire Danger Rating mean:

Low (Green): You'll see this color when the risk is at its lowest. Fires aren't very likely to start, and if they do, they'll spread slowly. Following normal fire safety protocols.
Moderate (Blue): Some wildfires can pop up, and they might spread a little faster. It's important to think about fire safety and be extra cautious with any outdoor burning. Maintain a controlled environment (fires in fire rings).
High (Yellow): This is a time to be extremely mindful. Wildfires are more likely and can be tough to control, especially in windy conditions. Fires should be restricted to early mornings or late evening hours.
Very High (Orange): When you see this, it means fires can start very easily and spread super fast. They're hard to control and can be really intense. We highly recommend that you don't do any outdoor burning at all.
Extreme (Red): This is the highest level of danger. Fires will start and spread incredibly fast, and even a small spark can turn into a huge fire. Please, no outdoor burning at all when the rating is red.

FIRE SAFETY

Join us in keeping Big Sky safe by following these tips:

What does the National Fire Danger Rating mean:

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