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Fires Keep Crews Busy In Southern Montana

Lightning, warm temperatures and dry conditions are keeping firefighters busy in the region. YPR’s Kay Erickson has the details.

The LE Peterson fire burning in rough terrain six miles northeast of Columbus in Stillwater County, started with a lightning strike July 10. Containment lines around the 214 acre fire appear to be holding.

Crews from the Bureau of Land Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the Custer Gallatin National Forest as well as Columbus, Molt, Laurel and Red Lodge have stopped the forward progress.

The lightning-caused McKerlich Fire is burning on private land south of Forsyth in Rosebud County. Federal and county fire crews are on the scene of the 25 acre fire.

The cause of the Harris Creek Fire southwest of Birney on BLM land in Rosebud County is unknown. That fire was reported around 9 P.M. July 12 and is estimated at 60 acres, with county and federal firefighters and four engines on scene.

The Columbus Fire Department reminds residents and recreators that things are a lot dryer than the look and be careful.

Kay Erickson has been working in broadcasting in Billings for more than 20 years. She spent well over a decade as news assignment editor at KTVQ-TV before joining the staff at YPR. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with a degree in broadcast journalism. Shortly after graduation she worked in Great Falls where she was one of the first female sports anchor and reporter in Montana.