A total of 35 wildfires ignited this weekend in south-central and southeastern Montana. Firefighters are battling the largest of them, a 3,000 acre wildfire, and preparing for more unfavorable conditions.
The Pine Crest fire about four miles northwest of Columbus destroyed two homes and caused the evacuation of a subdivision. The evacuation order has since been lifted.
Fire information officer Crystal Beckman says careless debris burning combined with the recent warm, dry and windy weather is to blame for this weekend’s string of wildfires
"Four of those fires turned into larger fires that were over 2,000 acres. All resources, local fire departments/county fire firefighters, were stretched to the max," Beckman said.
The Pine Crest Fire is about 45 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
Monday's operation focused on securing existing fireline, but crews are also preparing for Red Flag conditions tomorrow, meaning warmer temperatures, strong winds and lower humidity.
