Red Flag Warnings
What is a Red Flag Warning?
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) to warn that critical fire conditions exist during a specified timeframe.
It usually means a dangerous mix of:
- Strong winds
- Low humidity
- Warm temperatures
- Dry vegetation
One or more of these conditions make it easier for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. Think of it as the wildfire equivalent of a severe thunderstorm warning: it’s your signal to be on high alert.
Why does this matter to MEC?
When the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning, it means conditions are perfect for wildfires – even a small spark can start a fast-moving fire. For MEC, this warning means taking extra precautions with our system and field work to reduce the risk of equipment-related ignitions. It can also mean adjusting how and when we restore power after an outage to ensure lines are safe to re-energize.
How does MEC change system operations during a Red Flag Warning?
During periods of low fire danger, equipment in our substations and on the line, known as reclosers, attempt to keep the power flowing when a problem is detected. These devices will open and reclose, approximately three times, while trying to clear the fault. While this is good for system reliability, it can increase the risk of sparks and fire under the right conditions. Red Flag Warnings pose the most significant fire risk to our system and thus receive our highest level of response. When a Red Flag Warning is initiated by NWS, all areas of high and very high fire danger will be on an immediate trip setting. This setting will interrupt power almost immediately if a fault is detected. While this can potentially result in widespread outages in our territory, it will significantly reduce the risk of powerline-sparked ignitions on our system.
What does this mean for members?
These sensitive system settings may increase the risk of power interruption. If your lights go out, the time necessary to restore power may be longer than usual because we require crews to visually patrol every mile of the impacted line to ensure they are clear of downed trees and there is no damage. Once it is deemed safe, they will attempt to restore power.
How will I know if there’s a Red Flag Warning in my area?
- Member Portal — Sign up for important email, text, or phone alerts in SmartHub, your member portal.
- Watch Duty — Free wildfire alerts are available on watchduty.org or via the Watch Duty app.
- National Weather Service — Visit the NWS website to stay on top of the latest weather and fire conditions.
How can I prepare?
Join us in being fire-safe during periods of high fire danger:
- Report downed or damaged power lines immediately.
- If trees or vegetation are growing on or near (within 10 ft of) power lines in your area, please report them to your power provider.
- Avoid spark-producing activities or chores.
- Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks online for current fire restrictions and closures.
- Do not ignite fireworks during this time.
- Be extra cautious with outdoor equipment.
For more tips on how to prepare for wildfire season, please visit our Wildfire Resource page.
Together, we can reduce wildfire risk and protect our communities.
