![Eastern Montana Fires Spread, Prompt New Evacuations](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/05/wildfire-300x186.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Eastern Montana Fires Spread, Prompt New Evacuations
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Fast-moving wildfires triggered new evacuations in southeast Montana Monday, as firefighters battled a potent combination of lightning strikes, dry weather and flame-whipping winds.
The number of fires continues to climb: A dozen major blazes are now active and have burned roughly 360 square miles of forest and prairie.
Officials warn that heavy winds forecast for Tuesday could push the blazes more quickly than firefighters can contain them.
As the 2012 fire season shapes up to be one of the worst in years, a special federal fire prevention team arrived in Montana ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
It's part of a stepped-up effort to keep man-made fires from adding to the danger.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![Sunshine Good for Your Soul, but Montana Fire Danger Climbing](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2023/07/attachment-FiredangerModerateLow.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana’s Fire Season May Not Be As Bad As We Feared](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-FiredangerModerateLow.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana’s Snowpack: Will More Arrive In Time For Summer?](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/03/attachment-LakeMacDonald21624.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Want an Exciting Job? Forest Service Wants Montana Firefighters](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/03/attachment-FirefightersRoaringLion.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Firefighters May Finally Get Better Pay For Their Hard Work](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2023/11/attachment-MooseCrFirefighters.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Data Shows 1,300 Montana Wildfires, River Road East Spreads Fast](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2023/08/attachment-MT-Fire.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Over 20,000 Acres Burn as High Winds Rake Northern Rockies](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2023/07/attachment-ElkhornFire730USFS.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Pilot and CEO Tim Sheehy Working the Colt Fire Near Seeley Lake](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2023/07/attachment-featured-image-2023-07-24T081654.312.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wildfire Danger Level Raised to High in Missoula County](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2022/07/attachment-featured-image-37.jpg?w=980&q=75)