Fires Throughout the State

Firefighters fear that more wildfires may break out in western Montana and northern Idaho later this week, with more lightning storms in the forecast.

Northern Rockies Coordination Center meteorologist Bryan Henry says low humidity, temperatures in the 90s and high winds have created red-flag conditions in the region.

As of Wednesday, a fire had charred more than 16,300 acres six miles northwest of Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Several homes were threatened.

Henry says the cool, wet spring delayed the start of the season so that the fire activity in the state now resembles what would be typically observed in mid-July.

So far this year, between 40,000 and 60,000 acres have burned in Montana, northern Idaho, North Dakota and the Yellowstone National Park area.

Story From AP