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HELENA,Mont.-A state of emergency was declared in Montana on Sunday because of wildfires,including one that more than doubled in size and crept to within a mile of some of the 200 nearby homes that were evacuated.Lighter wind and higher humidity were expected at the fire northeast of Missoula on Sunday,and the wind was now largely blowing the blaze back onto itself,said Pat Cross,fire information officer.However,wind-blown embers were still sparking spot fires up to 2 miles ahead of the main blaze near the popular getaway spots of Seeley and Placid Lakes,authorities said."We're focusing on structure protection,establishing some anchor points and trying to get some fire line in on the south and east flanks,"Cross said.The wildfire started Friday and exploded to 8,000 acres,about 12 square miles,by late Saturday.On Sunday,it more than doubled to 18,000 acres-about 28 square miles.Cross estimated containment at zero percent,"only because there isn't a lower number."Incident commander Glen McNitt told The Missoulian newspaper late Sunday that he had reports that some homes or other structures had burned in the blaze,but said he had not been able to get crews into those areas to confirm the reports.Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer declared the state of emergency on Sunday,and the Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized federal money to help fight the blaze.FEMA will pay 75 percent of eligible state firefighting costs for the fire,such as the fire camp, equipment and supplies,agency officials in Denver said.The money does not cover damage to homes or other buildings.Authorities also closed a 30-mile stretch of Montana 83 for safety reasons,Cross said.In northwestern Montana, about 50 homes ahead of a fire in the Flathead National Forest remained evacuated,and crews had to move their fire camp because the blaze burned to within 2 miles.Residents of the Good Creek area to the north may also be evacuated if the fire continues to grow,officials said.To read more go to:
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