Lightning caused a 50-acre fire in Wolf Creek Monday evening, threatening a half a dozen houses.

Those households were advised by Lewis and Clark County sheriff's deputies to evacuate after the blaze started at about 5 p.m. off of Lyons Creek Road.

Kathy and Maury Hamill watched the flames, which came within about a quarter of a mile from their log cabin after returning Monday night to grab their car. The couple watched two helicopters and two planes douse the flames with fire retardant and water. Later, they scoped through binoculars to see a handful of firefighters battling the flames on foot.

Kathy Hamill was impressed with one firefighter's technique of beating out the fire with a tree branch.

"I'd like to send that guy a personal thank-you note. They all do such a great job," she said while peeping from her balcony.

Grass and trees on private and state land were charred in the blaze, which was expected to burn into the night, Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Chief Rocky Infanger said.

Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in addition to Wolf Creek, East Valley, West Valley and Eastgate volunteer departments responded to the fire.