Montana’s Largest Wildfire Near Full Containment

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana's largest wildfire is 95 percent contained, but lightning, heat and gusty winds could make things tough on firefighters later this week.

Fire managers said earlier they hoped to fully contain the 250,000-acre Ash Creek fire on Monday. By Monday night, a spokesman said full containment would not come until later. There was no new target date.

The fire has burned at least 16 homes and 22 other structures.

Crews are mopping up one of the most active fires in the region, the 62,000-acre Taylor Creek Fire about 12 miles southeast of Fort Howes. It's listed at 65 percent contained.

At the Pony Fire in southwestern Montana, Mammoth residents have been allowed to go home for the first time since late June.