Wildfire in South Central Montana Forces Evacuations
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A wildfire driven by strong weekend winds has burned 4.5-square miles in south-central Montana and forced the evacuation of more than 50 homes in a subdivision where at least two structures have been lost.
The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is fighting the Pine Crest fire, which started at about 1 p.m. Saturday. The cause is still under investigation.
Fire information officer Crystal Beckman says crews have constructed fire line on the southwestern perimeter of the fire and it has been declared 10 percent contained. Firefighters completed a burn operation on Sunday to reduce available fuels.
Crews planned to work Monday on securing fire lines and cooling down hotspots ahead of winds forecast to gust to 20 mph on Monday afternoon and 25 mph on Tuesday.