Wildfire — Sheridan, Montana

1999-10-31 · near Outlook, Sheridan, Montana

Wider weather episode

High winds sustained at 50 to 60 miles an hour and gusts to near 80 miles an hour caused minor damage throughout northeast Montana. The winds were also responsible for the rapid spread of several wild fires which reeked havoc through several communities. Peak winds were clocked as follows:Glasgow 66 MPHGlendive 62 MPHTampico 71 MPHFort Peck 66 MPH Winnett 67 MPHChain Buttes 68 MPHDry Blood Cr 64 MPHPlentywood 65 MPHWolf PT 67 MPHPoplar 73 MPHN of Oswego 72 MPHZortman 75 MPHSawmill Creek 80 MPHBluff Creek 69 MPHJordan 69 MPHKing Coulee 77 MPHSidney 64 MPHBig Sheep MTN 64 MPHWind driven fires started by the railroad raced into the small community of Outlook. Townspeople were evacuated before the fire hit the area. Twenty buildings or about one third of the town was destroyed. To the south a fire started east of Wolf Point and burned eighteen square miles engulfing four homes and the local UPS distribution facility. Other smaller fires occurred in Dawson, Garfield, Phillips, McCone and Richland Counties. The winds gradually subsided during the early morning hours of November 1. Fires continued to burn in spots for much of the day on the 1st.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5716648. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.