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Firefighters Gain Ground on Philipsburg-area Blaze

By Beacon Staff

BUTTE – Firefighters are gaining ground on a southwestern Montana fire that destroyed five houses and three other structures.

Fire officials say the 350-acre fire outside of Phillipsburg was 79 percent contained by Wednesday evening.

Officials have lifted an evacuation order for about 20 seasonal and year-round residences and are releasing some equipment and resources.

Officials say the Rumsey Gulch Fire might have started Monday evening when a tree fell on a power line, though the investigation is continuing.

The fire did not grow during the day and officials report good progress on building a line around the perimeter and mopping up around houses.

The weather is expected to turn cooler by Thursday with a chance of showers in the forecast, making for favorable conditions for containing the fire.