Fire Involves 50-75 Acres Near Poplar
About 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, three BIA engines plus Brockton and Poplar volunteer fire departments responded to the “Highway 480” wildfire in a riparian area by White Shield Island along the Missouri River west of Highway 480 and south of U.S. Highway 2.
By 4 p.m., incident commander Karl Big Hair and Poplar Fire Chief Dave Mathison estimated the fire to be 50 to 75 acres. It was first reported at 20 acres. Volunteer departments, including water support from Wolf Point and four BIA engines, were at the fire at 4:30 p.m.
“Seventy-five acres like this in early June is pretty impressive, and speaks to the dry conditions here,” said acting fire management officer Bob Jones.
The cause is still under investigation.
Residents are reminded that a burn ban is in force reservation-wide.
Call law enforcement quickly about any use of fire. To reduce harm to people and property, report to 911 any activity that flouts the Fort Peck Tribes’ burn ban. The We-Tip phone (800-472-ARSON: 800-472-7766) pays up to $10,000 for information that leads to intervention or arrest for firestarting, yet We-Tip never wants the caller’s name.
