By Alan Sorensen
ROCKY BOY A range fire that swept across approximately 600 acres of land on Rocky Boys Reservation yesterday and last night has been contained, but remains a threat.
Its contained, now, but not controlled, Chippewa Cree Tribal Forestry Manager Tom Nemeth said in a telephone interview this morning. It depends on the wind today. If we have no problems with it today, well call it controlled tonight when the wind stops.
Nemeth said the fire began during the noon hour Tuesday near the crest of Gardipees Hill about six miles north of the Agency along the Laredo Road.
The Rocky Boy Fire Departments regular fire engines responded, Nemeth said, and were joined by fire crews from the Box Elder and Bear Paw volunteer fire departments. Ted Solomon also responded with his equipment.
There were no reports of any injuries.
We didnt contain it until probably late last night, and it got away a little after dark, but we contained that, Nemeth said.
A Rocky Boy mop up crew was dispatched to the scene adjacent to the Laredo Road just north of Bonneau Dam at about 9:30 a.m. today.
The blaze, which could be seen from Highland Park, erupted in an area populated by farm families.
It started right by the residence at the top of the hill, Nemeth said. No homes were damaged and none were in danger.
We had equipment, and if they had been in danger, we would have concentrated on that.
Nemeth said that his estimation on the size of the fire was just that, an estimation.
We would guess 600 acres, he said. Its give and take until we have a chance to put it on a map.
