Fire near West Yellowstone grows to about 3,000 acres

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (AP) A wildfire just north of West Yellowstone grew to roughly three-thousand acres today, fanned by high temperatures and erratic wind.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for about 40 summer homes, a resort and campground.

The Madison Arm Fire was detected yesterday and is burning near the Madison Arm of Hebgen Lake.

Marianne Baumberger is spokeswoman for the Gallatin National Forest spokeswoman. She says temperatures reached 90 degrees this afternoon, with relative humidity at 5 percent. She says winds gusts were at 12 miles per hour at 3 p-m, but picked up later in the day.

Baumberger says the fire was making a small run toward U-S Highway 191 at about 6 this evening, and it looked like officials would have to temporarily close the road.

Evacuation orders remain in effect at the Baker's Hole Summer Cabins, the Lake Shore Summer Homes, the Madison Arm Resort, the Baker's Hole Campground and a state game warden cabin.

By AP writer Katie Oyan (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-28-07 2000CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list