Eastern Montana Blaze Prompts Evacuations

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire north of Billings has triggered evacuation notices for about 80 rural residences.

The fire near Golden Creek in Musselshell County broke out Tuesday afternoon as record high temperatures baked the eastern part of the state. It was burning in heavy timber about four miles west of Highway 87.

County officials say a second fire was burning southwest of the town of Musselshell.

Emergency Services Director Duane Winslow in neighboring Yellowstone County says the Broadview and Shepherd fire departments were asked to help fight the two fires.

The National Weather Service says temperatures to the east of the fires in Miles City hit 111 degrees Tuesday — the highest ever recorded.