Winds Fuel Lightning Fire Near Culbertson
Area fire departments were dispatched Wednesday, Aug. 21, around noon to fight a fire along the river bottom east of Culbertson.
Approximately 200 acres were burned on the Anderson and Bowker ranches. No structures were damaged. High winds were a contributing factor. Roosevelt County Fire Marshal Mike Olson told the Community News that Bainville, Culbertson and Froid volunteer fire departments assisted with the fire, as did a Montana Department of Natural Recourses and Conservation strike force out of Lewistown. A DNRC helicopter was deployed to conduct water drops.
“It was a great team effort,” Olson said, “because this one was moving.”
Olson said the fire was likely started by a lightning strike during thunderstorms on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Roosevelt County Road Department members also assisted with the fire and 21 Construction provided a bulldozer and a loader.
Olson said fire department members inspected the fire site Sunday, Aug. 25, and turned it over for lingering hot spots. “We monitored it over the weekend,” he said.
He recommended area residents keep on the lookout for late season fires. “If you see smoke, please report it immediately,” Olson said. The phone number for Roosevelt County dispatch is 406-653-6230.
