Wildfires Burn Homes, Force Evacuations In SE Montana

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildfires in southeastern Montana have destroyed two homes and forced the evacuation of several residences.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation says a complex of six fires south of Rosebud has burned 80,000 acres since their start on Wednesday. The 60,000-acre Chalky fire has burned two homes south-southwest of Colstrip while an outbuilding was lost in the Juniper fire about five miles south of Rosebud.

The Associated Press reports  evacuations were ordered in Lame Deer and Jimtown Thursday night while Highway 39 between Lame Deer and Colstrip was closed.

Meanwhile, the Sappy Hill complex of fires northeast of Crow Agency has burned 51,000 acres since being started by lightning on July 31.

Residents east of Crow Agency told the Gazette they fled when strong wind gusts overnight pushed the fire toward their homes.