Several small fires start over the weekend

Broadus VFD firefighters responded to several fires over the weekend, most of which were started by lightning from storms on Friday night.

On Saturday, a 4.5 acre fire was doused on Butte Creek, in the southern end of Powder River County, on Russ Bryant’s property.

Another fire, just across the Baking Powder Divide on Ernest Creek, was put out by responding BLM resources. The fire burned 0.5 acres.

Belle Creek VFD responded to a small fire on Marie Gotfredson’s on Saturday, the blaze amounted to several acres.

A bale caught on fire at the Olson Place on the Little Powder River, on Sunday. Broadus VFD responded to the incident, and it was put out without major problems.

Earlier this season, Broadus helped to put out a controlled burn at Wayside RV Park which went out of control, as well as responding to an out of control campfire at Cow Creek, on Custer National Forest. A fire on Hugh Fulton’s, south of Broadus, as well as a tree on fire at Huckins’ Ranch were also put out – the acreage consumed in these incidents was not provided.

Broadus VFD Chief Raymond Ragsdale wanted to remind everyone to call the Powder River County Sheriff’s Dispatch if planning to do a controlled burn. The Broadus VFD has responded to multiple fires this year, which turned out to be someone’s controlled burn that didn’t get called in. To report a planned controlled burn, please call 436-2051.

No fires were reported to have begun due to fireworks over the 4th.