Fire Evacuations Ordered for 200 Near Helena

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana authorities say evacuation orders have been issued for 200 residents north of Helena as wildfires broke out across western Montana.

Gawkers blocked traffic Monday afternoon as helicopters dumped buckets on the flames burning in the Scratchgravel Hills that could be seen from the roadway in the Helena Valley.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton says it is not immediately clear how large the fire is, but that it is moving fast and a mandatory evacuation had been issued for about 200 homes.

He says he has asked for assistance from the state and the military.

Another wildfire burning southeast of Whitehall has forced residents out of about a dozen homes and firefighters were battling at least two other blazes as temperatures soared into the 90s.