Montana Wildfires

"Neighbors helping neighbors...these are the stories needing told." That's what Montana rancher Jim Felton shared late last week after witnessing the Richard Spring Fire in Eastern Montana firsthand.

"Multiple structures have been lost last night and into the early morning. Aviation resources are continuing to drop retardant and water on this fire."

The Carbon County Sheriff's Office says 55 year old John Lightburn of Bridger was arrested and charged with negligent arson and criminal mischief- both felonies.

Adverse wind conditions forced the hard landing of a Montana DNRC helicopter that caught fire near Townsend last week. This is according to a report released by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation following a review of the incident.

Bottom line up front: "There are still no plans to evacuate the city of Red Lodge." -US Forest Service Public Information Officer Billy Chapman.

A Montana DNRC helicopter went down near Townsend, but all crew members are reportedly safe thanks to the quick actions of law enforcement and a DNRC employee.