montana wildfires

The fires are being set now to help with forest management and wildfire prevention

Our news team spoke to Fire Information Officer Kelli Roemer on Thursday for the latest update on the human-caused fire.

The Moose Fire burning near Salmon Idaho in the Salmon-Challis National Forest has been burning since July 17 and has consumed nearly 60,000 acres, primarily in wilderness areas.

The Elmo Fire, burning near the west shore of Flathead Lake is now estimated to be over 16,000 acres and about 10 percent contained.

The Missoula County Fire Protection Association has once again increased the fire danger starting on Friday to Very High.

A Ronan man is in the Lake County Detention Center on $1 million bond after an intensive investigation into three arson-caused fires led to his arrest.

A wildfire started Monday afternoon near Pryor Creek Golf Course.

"Multiple structures have been lost last night and into the early morning. Aviation resources are continuing to drop retardant and water on this fire."

A Red Lodge firefighter suffered severe burn injuries on Friday (7/16), when a wildfire crews were battling near Joliet shifted directions and burned over his emergency vehicle.

Several fires have been reported around Roundup, according to the Musselshell Country Department of Emergency Services, with one subdivision being voluntarily evacuated.

The Carbon County Sheriff's Office says 55 year old John Lightburn of Bridger was arrested and charged with negligent arson and criminal mischief- both felonies.

Bottom line up front: "There are still no plans to evacuate the city of Red Lodge." -US Forest Service Public Information Officer Billy Chapman.