Rumsey Gulch Fire burns at least five Montana homes

BUTTE – A 350-acre fire driven by strong winds destroyed at least five homes along with other structures about four miles southwest of Philipsburg, Mont.

Fire information officer Cindy Super said Tuesday that the Granite County Sheriff’s Office was confirming the number of buildings that burned, including outbuildings.

The sheriff’s office evacuated about 20 seasonal and year-round homes in the area of the Rumsey Gulch Fire on Monday evening, but Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest spokeswoman Leona Roderick said she did not know how many people were involved.

Super said fire crews supported by three helicopters and eight engines worked Tuesday to protect other buildings and try to contain the fire, which was reported about 6:20 p.m. Monday.

The cause of the fire was unknown, but “horrific winds” swept through the area Monday afternoon, Roderick said.

The winds died down overnight and cooler temperatures helped firefighting efforts.

Also Monday, two houses were destroyed and another was damaged in fires reported in southwestern Montana.

Officials said a grass fire burned a house, a boat and several outbuildings and that the homeowner was away at the time.