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August 14, 2000 7:15 AM, EDT

Though the wildfires devouring homes and land in the Western region of the country have left most Interstates untouched, small, regional trucking companis have not been as fortunate.

Parched ground and high temperatures have turned Western wildernesses into tinderboxes, creating conditions for what experts expect will be the worst fire season in close to 50 years. Many of the blazes have been burning for a month now and weather forecasters say there is little relief in sight.

Montana and Idaho are bearing the brunt of the flames. With the fires concentrated in rural areas, most main roads remain open to traffic. But trucking companies are feeling the heat, nonetheless.

Smoke from nearby fires is clogging the air at Jim Palmer Trucking in Missoula, Mont.

For the full story, see the Aug. 14 print edition of Transport Topics. .