Authorities in eastern Montana called for evacuations Sunday as temperatures of about 100 degrees and winds of 20 to 30 mph pushed the Ash Creek Fire north and east toward homes and a campground.
Fire spokesman Pat McKelvey said heavy air tankers and other aircraft worked on the fire burning in ponderosa pine, juniper, sage and grass.
“This thing started to move early,” McKelvey said. “They were already calling for air attack at 7:30 this morning, which is pretty unusual.”
The fire is part of the lightning-caused Ash Creek Complex of fires that started Monday and have destroyed more than 30 structures. No injuries have been reported.
McKelvey said additional firefighters arrived Sunday to bolster the 500 already battling the blaze, but exact numbers were unclear.
Strong winds throughout the day pushed the blaze across eastern flank containment lines. Fire officials said the blaze expanded nearly 10 percent to 265 square miles, or 170,000 acres, by Sunday night. It was 40 percent contained.
The Powder River County Sheriff’s Office was handling the evacuation notices across a sparsely populated area. McKelvey said he doubted most of those ahead of the fire would actually leave.
“Very few people are leaving,” he said. “They’re staying to fight the fire on their ranch or place. These are old, established ranches. I think they’re also pretty savvy about fire. I’m hopeful they’ve taken the actions necessary to mitigate the danger.”
McKelvy said the strong winds were expected to continue until dawn Monday, prompting night shift fire crews to focus on securing eastern containment lines.
McKelvey said red flag warnings stretched from the Continental Divide to the Dakotas throughout Sunday.
Meanwhile, firefighters had the 34-square-mile Dahl fire in Musselshell County 75 percent contained by Sunday night.
Fire spokeswoman Dixie Dies said a storm expected Sunday evening could cause problems with the fire that on Tuesday traveled 12 miles and destroyed 70 homes.
“We’ve prepared for it the last two days,” she said. “That being said, with 40 mph winds it will pretty much do what it wants.”
Thirty Montana National Guard soldiers have also been called in to help with access to areas that are under evacuation notices with that fire.