Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/10/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls are Very Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Libby and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Cut Bank, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Malta and Missoula are Moderate. When air quality is Very Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
Air Quality Alert issued August 7 at 11:56AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
AQAMSO WHAT: Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. WHERE... Clearwater and Idaho Counties outside of reservation boundaries. WHEN: Extended until 3:00PM 8/10/2026 IMPACTS: Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficult for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is prohibited by air quality rule. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. ISSUED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY GROUP. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEQ's Lewiston Regional Office at (208) 799- 4370
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Overview
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas in the contiguous United States at 1.3 million acres, straddling the Bitterroot Mountain Range along the Idaho-Montana border. It's the third largest wilderness in the Lower 48. The wilderness is open year-round but managed across four national forests (Bitterroot, Clearwater, Nez Perce, and Lolo) and seven ranger districts. No permits are required for wilderness access except for floating the Selway River (May 15-July 31, permit required). Standard wilderness regulations apply: no motorized equipment, bicycles, or hang gliders; group size limited to 20 people and 20 stock; 16-day camping limit per location (5-mile radius); campfires prohibited within 1/4 mile of Gem and Middle Lakes. Weed-seed-free feed is required for stock. The terrain is extremely rugged with elevations ranging from 1,600 to over 10,000 feet (Trapper Peak). Many trails are not regularly maintained—expect difficult conditions, unpredictable weather, and challenging stream crossings. Access is primarily from US Highway 93 (Montana side) and US Highway 12 (Idaho side). The Magruder Corridor provides a primitive one-lane road between the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return wildernesses, suitable only for high-clearance vehicles. Leave No Trace principles are strongly emphasized.
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