A strong upper level disturbance and associated cold front moved rapidly across the Northern Rockies on Saturday March 28th. The system produced widespread severe wind, with peak wind gusts ranging from 60 to 70 mph, along with critical fire weather conditions. The severe winds hit at the prime time of the day when temperatures were at record levels and humidities were in the teens. As a result, several wildfires occurred during the afternoon and early evening. The event was preceded by a late winter and early spring of below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures which set up unseasonably dry and dead fuel conditions. The high winds resulted in numerous power outages along with minor home/roof and tree damage.
Two wildfires that resulted in the greatest impacts were located near Red Lodge Mountain, as well as the Pinecrest Subdivision located between Park City and Columbus, Montana. The Pinecrest Wildfire (near Park City, Montana) burned 3000 acres. Two homes were lost and one firefighter was injured (minor).  In addition, Interstate 90 between Park City, MT and Columbus MT (20 miles) was closed for several hours due to low visibilities due to smoke. However, before the interstate closed, a multi-vehicle accident occurred, resulting in 1 fatality and several other injuries.
The Red Lodge Wildfire, which started shortly after 12 pm,  charred about 600 acres and threatened homes near Red Lodge as skiers were escorted off the mountain. The fire started when high winds fanned a hot spot from a controlled burn in the Land Estates Subdivision from the previous Wednesday. Fire officials closed Ski Run Road while they battled the blaze, which jumped West Fork Road. No one was allowed to enter or leave Red Lodge Mountain. Around 3 pm, skiers in their vehicles were escorted off the mountain by Carbon County officials.

Wildfire in NORTHERN STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 13:00:00 to 30-MAR-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Pinecrest Wildfire, 4 miles northeast of Columbus, Montana burned 3000 acres. Two homes were lost and one firefighter was injured (minor). In addition, Interstate 90 between Park City, MT and Columbus MT (20 miles) was closed for several hours due to low visibilities due to smoke from the wildfire. However, before the interstate closed, a multi-vehicle accident occurred, resulting in 1 fatality and several other injuries.

High Wind in FALLON, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 15:48:00 to 28-MAR-15 15:48:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A gust of 59 mph was recorded at the Baker airport.

High Wind in NORTHERN SWEET GRASS, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 13:00:00 to 28-MAR-15 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A gust of 58 mph was recorded in Melville and sustained winds of 40 mph were recorded in Reed Point.

High Wind in SOUTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 15:00:00 to 29-MAR-15 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

High Wind in CUSTER, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 14:26:00 to 28-MAR-15 21:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gusts of 60 to 68 mph were recorded across the area.

High Wind in YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 13:19:00 to 28-MAR-15 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gusts of 66 to 73 mph were recorded at the Billings Airport.

High Wind in NORTHERN ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 13:07:00 to 28-MAR-15 15:02:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A wind gust of 65 mph was recorded in Ingomar and a 71 mph gust was recorded in Rock Springs.

High Wind in NORTHERN STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 11:41:00 to 28-MAR-15 18:16:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Numerous gusts of 60 to 70 mph with a peak gust of 74 mph were reported across the area.

High Wind in JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 16:39:00 to 28-MAR-15 16:51:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts to 53 mph were recorded in Judith Gap.

High Wind in NORTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 13:30:00 to 28-MAR-15 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A gust of 58 mph was recorded at the Arrow Creek DOT site.

High Wind in TREASURE, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 17:30:00 to 28-MAR-15 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

High Wind in MUSSELSHELL, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 12:45:00 to 28-MAR-15 21:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gusts of 58-61 mph were recorded across the area.

High Wind in SOUTHERN WHEATLAND, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 10:45:00 to 28-MAR-15 15:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Wind gusts of 58-60 mph were recorded across the area.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 14:22:00 to 28-MAR-15 14:22:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A wind gust of 69 mph was recorded at the Lame Deer Divide.

High Wind in CARTER, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 16:08:00 to 28-MAR-15 17:28:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts to 68 mph were reported.

Dense Smoke in NORTHERN STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 14:00:00 to 28-MAR-15 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A multi-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 90. A woman from Park City, Montana was killed after blowing smoke mixed with dirt/dust created zero visibility. The crash involved five vehicles and injured several people around 3 pm. According to the Montana Highway Patrol , speed and low visibility played a significant role in the crash. The crash occurred in the westbound lane near mile marker 432. A 67-year-old woman who died was a passenger in a Ford Edge pickup. Billings dispatch said the woman was dead on arrival.

High Wind in GOLDEN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 13:00:00 to 28-MAR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

High Wind in POWDER RIVER, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 15:05:00 to 28-MAR-15 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wildfire in RED LODGE FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 28-MAR-15 11:00:00 to 31-MAR-15 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The West Fork Wildfire near Red Lodge, which started shortly after 12 pm, charred about 600 acres and threatened homes near Red Lodge as skiers were escorted off the mountain. The fire started when high winds fanned a hot spot from a controlled burn in the Land Estates Subdivision from the previous Wednesday. Fire officials closed Ski Run Road while they battled the blaze, which jumped West Fork Road. No one was allowed to enter or leave Red Lodge Mountain. Around 3 pm, skiers in their vehicles were escorted off the mountain by Carbon County officials.