Homes near Manhattan spared as fire growth slows

HELENA (AP) — Gallatin County fire officials say a grass fire threatening dozens of homes north of Manhattan has not grown, though the wind is expected to pick up again in the afternoon.

Fire Warden Kerry O’Connell said Tuesday that firefighters saw the worst of the blaze on Sunday, when it grew to nearly 13 square miles.

She says the fire burned a Quonset hut that appeared to be abandoned and it came close to ranches and homes on the eastern perimeter. Firefighters have built lines to protect the residences against the 20 mph winds expected later in the day.

O’Connell says the number of firefighters and equipment are expected to drop by Wednesday. One of the state’s four firefighting helicopters has been reassigned to a new fire burning in Beaverhead County.