Fire Weather Watch Issued for Sheridan County

Story, Wyoming – March 23, 2026

As spring tries to sneak in early here in the Bighorns, Mother Nature is reminding us she still holds the match. The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Wednesday, March 25, from afternoon through evening, covering our corner of North Central Wyoming, including right here in Sheridan County and the Story area.

This isn’t a full Red Flag Warning yet, but it’s the next best thing: a clear heads-up that conditions could turn critical fast. Low humidity, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds are lining up to create the perfect setup for erratic fire behavior and new starts.

Here’s what to expect Wednesday in Story and surrounding communities:

• Temperatures climbing into the low 80s—yes, 83°F is possible in March.

• Humidity dropping as low as 15%, and down to just 7% in Sheridan County. That’s bone-dry air that turns last year’s grasses into tinder.

• Winds from the west at 15–25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

• A cold front rolls through Wednesday evening, shifting winds to north-northeast and possibly bringing light showers. Don’t count on them being enough to soak the ground, though.

The watch covers Sheridan County in Wyoming (Fire Zone 274) and several south-central Montana zones (126, 127, 128, 129). In our area, the lower elevations where grasses are still dead or dormant will feel it worst. Nearby spots like the Beartooth Ranger District of Custer National Forest, Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area, and parts of Golden Valley, Musselshell, Big Horn, Carbon, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone counties are also included.

What this means for Story families and landowners

Even a small spark, whether from a backyard burn pile, a vehicle on a dry roadside, or a hot exhaust pipe, can quickly get out of control under these conditions. The Story Volunteer Fire Department is already paying close attention and wants every resident to take this seriously.

Their simple message: No outdoor burning recommended. Period. If you have any planned burns, postpone them. Keep your grill away from dry grass. Double-check that all equipment and vehicles are spark-free. And have your go-bag and fire tools ready just in case.

The National Weather Service puts it plainly: “A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur.” They’ll be monitoring closely and could upgrade to a Red Flag Warning if things line up worse than expected.

We’ve seen how fast our dry spring winds can change a quiet afternoon into an emergency. This Wednesday looks like one of those days. Let’s do what Story does best: look out for each other, stay alert, and keep our little mountain town safe.