BLM says fire in Little Rockies has burned 17 square miles

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Bureau of Land Management law enforcement officers are investigating the July fire burning south of Fort Belknap Indian Reservation as a suspected human-caused fire.

Fire Information officer Hailey Graf says the fire, which started on July 3, is 60 percent contained after burning 17 square miles (45 square kilometers) and a small cabin in the Little Rocky Mountains. The National Interagency Coordination Center says it has cost $3.2 million to fight so far.

In southeastern Montana, two lightning caused fires on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation have burned nearly 41 square miles (106 square kilometers) in mixed grass and timber. One fire is 95 percent contained while the 34 square mile (89 square kilometer) Witten fire is 50 percent contained.

In western Montana, the Lazier Creek fire has led to some evacuations between Thompson Falls and Libby.

All contents © copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved.