UPDATE: AUG. 14 AT 11:10 A.M.
The cause of the Richard Spring Fire and the Lame Deer Fire has been determined to be coal seams.
Fire managers are holding a public meeting in relation to the Richard Spring fire at 6:00 pm Saturday at the Littlewolf Capitol Building, 600 Cheyenne Ave. in Lame Deer.
As of an update Saturday morning the Richard Spring Fire is reported to be 170,838 acres large and is 53% contained.
Resources are concentrated along the fire’s active southern and northeastern ledge near Lame Deer and the Highway 212 corridor.
Efforts are being made to contain the fire north of the Lame Deer Divide Road.
The Lame Deer Fire is 5,427 acres large and is 46% contained.
According to the update, firefighting efforts have been successful so far, and crews have initial control line constructed around the entire fire perimeter.
Firefighters have begun to mop up, secure and widen lines and will patrol for flare-ups.
The communities of Lame Deer, Muddy Cluster and Rosebud Cut Across are still in the Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation stage.
Pre-evacuation notices are in effect for Rosebud Creek from Greenleaf Creek to Cherry Creek and the Lame Deer Divide Road located on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation south of Lame Deer.
The evacuation status for the community of Ashland, including the Ashland Divide, Rabbit Town, North Tongue River Road and the St. Laber Indian Academy Campus has been moved from the Level 3 “Go Now” stage to a Level 1 “Be Ready” stage.
Highway 212 is closed between Broadus and Crow Agency to all non-residents.
BROWNING, Mont. - The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council announced the Blackfeet People are sending supplies and other necessities to help the Northern Cheyenne Nation as they battle wildfires.
The following is from a letter signed by Lauren J. Monroe, Secretary of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council:
The Blackfeet Nation extends our thoughts and prayers to the Northern Cheyenne Nation as they battle wildfires that have displaced and caused hardship for their people. We, the Blackfeet People, are sending supplies and other necessities to help alleviate the situation and support the people that are going through such a tumultuous event. We hope the fires cease and that life can continue for our friends down on the Northern Cheyenne Nation. Creator’s blessing to you all.