An expected storm cell packing wind gusts of up to 40 mph could hamper wildland firefighters’ efforts on Sunday as they battle four large fires burning in southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming.
The largest of the blazes, the 184,127 acre Remington fire (287 square miles), saw extreme behavior on Saturday including wind-driven runs, torching and spotting mostly on the north and west sides, according to a daily update by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5. The team assumed command on Sunday, beefing up resources for the 655 personnel attacking the flames.
Ranchers watch a burnout as air tankers pass overhead on O’Dell Creek as the Remington fire reaches an estimated 130,000 acres on Saturday. On Sunday, the fire was measured at 180,000 acres burned.
LARRY MAYER PHOTOS, Billings Gazette
Only 35% of the fire, which ignited 20 miles northeast of Leiter, Wyoming, before moving north into Montana, is considered contained.
The 174,448 acre House Draw fire (272 square miles) burning 40 miles southeast of Buffalo, Wyoming, was quiet on Saturday allowing firefighters to contain 88% of the perimeter and begin extinguishing hot spots.
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“Where safe to do so, Wyoming Game and Fish Department wildlife managers are searching burned areas to determine the loss of wildlife and euthanize injured animals,” the agency reported on Aug. 22. “Members of the public who see an injured animal can report the location to the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP.”
Antelope sprint across the landscape to safer ground as the Remington fire approaches.
John Warner, Courtesy photo
The other two incidents the team is in charge of include the 12,080 acre Constitution and 41,839 acre Flat Rock fires. The Flat Rock fire is burning 11 miles northwest of Gillette. The Constitution fire, burning 15 miles north of Gillette, is 28% contained.
All four of the blazes sprung to life when lightning storms blew through the region on Wednesday. Dozens of new fires have sprung to life across Montana following recent lightning storms. Similar dry storms are predicted in the coming days, according to Ansgar Mitchell, public information officer for the Southwest team.
Residents of Big Horn, Powder and Rosebud counties who live near the fires have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation, as well as in Sheridan County, Wyoming.
Kay Medicine Bull views the Remington fire from above Birney Village on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation on Saturday, Aug. 24. Medicine Bull, director of the Heritage Living Center in Ashland, wanted to see for herself what the intensity and course of the fire was, to determine if she would need to evacuate the 30 residents at the assisted living facility for Native Americans.
John Warner, Courtesy photo
Seventeen crews, two helicopters, 107 engines, nine bulldozers and two water tenders have been assigned to the fires.
The Remington fire is still smaller than the largest fire to burn in Eastern Montana. That tragic footnote goes to the Lodgepole Complex of fires that burned 270,000 acres, destroyed 16 homes, 120 power poles, fencing and haystacks in 2017. Those fires burned in Garfield and Petroleum counties.
The second largest fire burning in Montana is the Barber Draw fire in Big Horn County. That conflagration prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to close Tongue River Reservoir State Park for the third time this summer.
Nationally, 56 large wildfires were burning, nine in Montana and six in Wyoming. Idaho and Oregon lead with 13 and 12, respectively. So far, more than 5.62 million acres have been charred. More than 18,000 wildland firefighters are attacking the blazes.
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Ranchers watch a burnout as air tankers pass overhead on O’Dell Creek as the Remington fire reaches an estimated 130,000 acres on Saturday. On Sunday, the fire was measured at 180,000 acres burned.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
Firefighters work to save a ranch on O’Dell Creek on Saturday as the Remington Fire near Birney reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
Prickly pear cactus seem have to endured the flames better than the surrounding range in the Remington Fire.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River spread rapidly on Saturday.
Ranchers watch a burnout as air tankers pass overhead on O’Dell Creek as the Remington fire reaches an estimated 130,000 acres on Saturday. On Sunday, the fire was measured at 180,000 acres burned.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
Firefighters work to save a ranch on O’Dell Creek on Saturday as the Remington Fire near Birney reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
Prickly pear cactus seem have to endured the flames better than the surrounding range in the Remington Fire.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River has reached an estimated 130,000 acres.
The Remington Fire near Birney on the Tongue River spread rapidly on Saturday.
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Publish date : 2024-08-24 13:00:00
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