People who fly the drones over wildland fires could soon face criminal penalties under a bill gaining traction at the Legislature.

New research led by a University of Montana professor shows wildfires in the West are destroying more homes per square mile burned than in previous years. Fire ecologist Philip Higuera is the lead author on the publication and spoke with Montana Public Radio’s Austin Amestoy.

A wildfire that started Tuesday afternoon is burning about 100 acres 10 miles west of Polson.

Extreme heat and bone-dry conditions are prompting officials to raise the fire danger and implement burning restrictions in parts of western Montana.

The Matt Staff Fire burning east of Helena has burned over 1,500 acres and is still active but suppressed, according to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff.

The Elmo Fire near the western shore of Flathead Lake grew to over 18,000 acres at last report. About 150 homes are now in the mandatory evacuation area. Officials on Wednesday said the fire has burned four homes and four outbuildings and has a high potential for reaching Flathead Lake by this evening.

New evacuations orders were issued Monday afternoon for The Elmo Fire near the western shores of Flathead Lake, which had grown to nearly 13,000 acres and was zero percent contained as of firefighters' most recent update this morning.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks says Big Horn, Musselshell and Treasure Counties join Yellowstone County in passing Stage-1 restrictions, which apply to building fires and smoking outside.

Continued hot, dry conditions prompted the Bitterroot National Forest Monday to bump the fire danger up a notch to “Very High.”

The Black Sandy Fire burning in the hills north of Helena prompted about 30 households to evacuate this afternoon.