Gusty winds and high temperatures are aiding the spread of a wildfire that is burning in grass and timber east of Missoula.
The fire blackened about 150 acres in about an hour late Monday, creating a thick plume of smoke that is visible throughout Missoula Valley. Authorities say the flames are within 100 yards of a trailer court in the West Riverside area, a small community near the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers. No evacuations have been ordered.
Firefighters are helping protect the homes, two of which are very close to the flames.
The fire was reported at about 6 p.m. Monday, and a helicopter was dropping water on the flames within about a half hour. An incident management team is expected to arrive Tuesday.