Montana Fire Crews on Guard as Heat Returns

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Four of the five wildfires burning in southeastern Montana have been fully contained, but crews are keeping a wary eye out because forecasters are calling for high temperatures and possible lightning strikes.

The 97-square mile Taylor Creek Fire was 85 percent contained on Tuesday. That fire and four others are collectively called the Ash Creek Fire Complex. The biggest of those fires has burned 389 square miles.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area on Wednesday, meaning very high to extreme fire danger. The forecast includes low humidity, thunderstorms and gusty and erratic winds.

In southwestern Montana, a fire in the Bitterroot National Forest grew from 90 acres to 1½ square miles and was uncontained as of Tuesday night.