Lodgepole Complex Firefighters Getting Help

Governor Steve Bullock issued an executive order declaring a fire emergency in Montana on Sunday, and KTVQ.com reports the Lodgepole Complex fires, which consist of four fires burning in eastern Montana, have burned 12 homes and an estimated 226,000 acres.  It remained at zero percent containment as of Sunday night.  Incident commander Rick Connell says Montana resources have been mostly tapped out, but that help is coming in from the eastern United States.

Crews and engines began arriving from Ohio, West Virginia, Missouri and New York, and the hope is that they will have 300 to 500 firefighters working to control the blaze.  No injuries were reported at the time of this broadcast, but evacuations remain in place for Garfield County.  There is no timetable as to when those residents will be able to return to their homes.