Montana's National Disaster Page 2

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A helicopter with a load of water maneuvers into position to dowse a flareup south of Hamilton Friday, within the Skalkaho fire region.

Fires shaping future of forest!

August 26, 2000

It’s been called a 100-year fire, the worst in 95 years, prompting a declaration of emergency, the closure of more than 19 million acres of land, and costing millions to fight.

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Western Montana wildfires update - August 27, 2000

Here's an update on fires burning Saturday in Western Montana. Predicted winds of up to 40 mph in Montana may challenge fire lines on the large fires. See the rest of the update...

August 27, 2000 Smoke billows over the town of Red Lodge in this aerial view of an uncontrolled wildfire that forced evacuations on Rock Creek south of Red Lodge Sunday afternoon. See more of the story...

Two of Montana's most popular tourist attractions have been closed to public access by forest fires. See more of the story...

Lightning sparks Cyclone Ridge fire in the Flathead. See more of the story...

8/29/2000 Fire Updates - Predicted winds could hamper firefighters
Predicted strong winds in Montana on Tuesday will present challenges for firefighters on the large fires. Here is a rundown on the status of Western Montana’s wildfires as of Tuesday morning. See more of the update...

The remains of a motorcycle lie off the shoulder of U.S. Highway 212 in the Custer National Forest Monday, Aug., 28, 2000, near Red Lodge, Mont. This motorcycle accident is believed to have started the Willie wildfire, which has forced evacuation of 150 people, and threatens the city of Red Lodge, just four miles away.

Slurry bomber drops fire retardant on the 3,000-acre Willie fire south of Red Lodge Monday. See more of the story...

Firefighter Aaron Williams works at cooling off a hot spot at the Wolf Creek Fire south of Wolf Creek, Montana, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2000. The fire has burned approximately 250 acres but is less than one mile from the small Montana town. The blaze was started from sparks created when a Great Falls, Montana, man lost a wheel driving his pickup along the frontage road south of Wolf Creek.

The Willie fire rages in the trees Tuesday August 29, 2000 close to the road where the fire started - Red Lodge, Montana. See more of the story...

A lookout keeps watch on the progress of the Willie fire as it reaches US Highway 212 in the Custer National Forest Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2000, near Red Lodge, Mont. The Willie fire, named after singer Willie Nelson, has grown to 3,000 acres since Sunday, forcing the evacuation of 150 people and threatening the city of Red Lodge just four miles away.

Firefighters hike up steep terrain Wednesday, August 30, 2000 in single file to get a spot where they could dig a fire line close to the Willie fire near Red Lodge, Montana.