Over the past few days, firefighters have responded to three small wildfires in western Montana.

The fires in the Missoula and Clearwater units of the Montana Department of Natural Resources are believed to have been caused by abandoned warming fires.

Authorities warn that forests will still be extremely dry this fall. They say recent rain and snow at high altitudes are not yet enough to minimize the fire risk.

Hunters and recreationalists are urged to be extremely careful with their fires this fall.

So far this year, Missoula and Powell counties have experienced 171 wildfires. Nearly 70 percent of them are of human origin.