Firefighting resources are stretched to capacity and there’s no end in sight to the hot and dry conditions fueling the 2021 wildfire season.

The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order for all 17 houses in the Alder Creek area as a nearby wildfire burns south of highway 43 and the Wise River. Critical fire conditions are occurring in southwest and central Montana, and burn restrictions go into effect across northwest Montana.

Updated 7:12 p.m. July 14, 2021 Beaverhead County Evacuations Eight homes were evacuated Wednesday near the wise river south of Highway 43 as the Alder Creek Fire burns with 0% containment in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Beaverhead County Sheriff Paul Craft tells Montana Public Radio the eight houses were evacuated on the south side of Highway 43 between Alder Creek turnoff and mile marker 62. Craft says more evacuations are likely Thursday.

Updated July 13, 2021 6:13 p.m. Burnt Peak Fire Kootenai National Forest fire officials say a pre-evacuation notice is in place for North Fork Keeler residents due to the Burnt Peak Fire burning over 900 acres southwest of Troy. Officials say the fire is now within two miles of structures and heavy equipment is being used to improve access for firefighters.

Updated 07/12/21, 6:30 p.m.

Updated 12:31 a.m., July 11, 2021. The Missoula County Sheriff’s office issued an evacuation warning from the Idaho border to Lolo Hot Springs late Saturday night due to the emerging Lolo Creek Fire. The three-to-five-acre wildfire is located between mile marker one and two approximately one mile away from highway 12. Police say if you are traveling along highway 12, do not stop. Deputies are notifying residents and visitors along highway 12 of the evacuation notice. Multiple helicopters are on

Updated at 6:00 p.m.

A smoky haze lent an orange tint to the skies above western Montana Friday morning, but officials say it's not from local fires and it's not affecting air quality.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte says he’s disappointed not to have been invited to Wednesday’s White House meeting on western wildfires, as a historic heatwave amps up fire conditions.

The National Interagency Fire Center Tuesday bumped the national preparedness level up a notch to its next-to-highest rating.