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150 homes ordered to evacuate amid Montana wildfire

In this photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, a pickup truck pulls a camper through the wildfire smoke in Seeley Lake in Missoula County, Mont., on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. (U.S. Forest Service)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, a pickup truck pulls a camper through the wildfire smoke in Seeley Lake in Missoula County, Mont., on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. (U.S. Forest Service)
Associated Press

MISSOULA, Mont. – Residents have been ordered to evacuate about 150 homes in western Montana because of a lightning-caused wildfire.

The Missoula County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday the evacuation order covers a highway near the Lolo National Forest about 17 miles southwest of Missoula.

The Lolo Peak Fire has burned about 12 square miles since it was reported July 15. Nearly 500 firefighters were on scene.

It was one of 12 fires burning in the state, which has been hit hard by drought.

Another wildfire cut off the shortest trail to a backcountry chalet in Montana’s Glacier National Park last week while dozens of people were staying there.

Some guests decided to leave by another trail that’s 13 miles long.

Park officials didn’t immediately return a call Sunday.