Progress made on fighting Montana wildfires

Staff and wire

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has lifted an evacuation order for 50 homes threatened by four fires that have burned 390 square miles of farmland and public land in eastern Montana.

Authorities said in a statement that the area north of Montana Highway 200 is open only to local traffic. They are also asking landowners to report any losses of livestock, pasture, hay and fences.

The four fires have burned at least 16 homes since lightning ignited them last Wednesday.

More than 600 firefighters are battling the blazes. Crews from across the nation have joined in the effort, which was aided by favorable weather conditions Tuesday.

About a fifth of the fire area is estimated to be contained.

More favorable weather conditions have allowed firefighters to make some progress on trying to contain the wildfires.

Firefighters said they have stopped most of the growth and gained 20 percent containment on the fires that were started last week by lightning.

They expected to make additional progress Tuesday because of lighter winds and slightly cooler temperatures.

The four fires burning in the same area have charred about 390 square miles that includes private farmland with scattered homes, a mix of rolling open land used for grazing and timber-choked river bottoms.

The fire complex is the largest of the blazes that are scorching Montana in the middle of a heatwave and drought conditions.

Stockman Bank of Montana, which is based out of Miles City and has branches throughout the state including in Havre, announced, has set up a fire relief fund to assist those affected by the Lodgepole Complex fire. Stockman will match all contributions made to the fund up to a total of $10,000. 

The Lodgepole Complex Fire Relief Fund will be used to provide the needed assistance to those stricken by the damage of the fire. Donations to this account will be handled by the Garfield County Fire Foundation.

To donate to the fire relief fund, people can stop by any Stockman Bank location or mail to Stockman Bank, c/o Lodgepole Complex Fire Relief Fund, PO Box 80850, Billings, MT 59108.