A system sweeping in from the north is bringing cooler weather and also moisture to the parched Northern Plains, aiding crews that have been battling wildfires in western North Dakota including a large one in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The 8-square-mile Horse Pasture Fire in the park s North Unit was 95% contained Monday, with the other 5% encompassing rugged Badlands terrain, according to National Park Service Fire Information Officer Mike Johnson. Officials have lifted numerous restrictions and planned to reopen the park s scenic drive Tuesday.
But the precipitation isn t likely to have a dramatic impact on extreme drought blanketing much of the state, even with some northern areas expected to get several inches of snow by midweek.
KNBN NewsCenter1
April 12, 2021
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK, N.D. The National Park Service says that the Horse Pasture Fire, which has been burning in the North Unit at Teddy Roosevelt National Park since Saturday, April 3, is at 95% containment as of Monday afternoon. The fire is currently mapped at 5,000 acres.
The fire burned lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, State of North Dakota, and some private lands. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The development of winter weather conditions over the past 24 hours have given fire crews an advantage. Firefighters and engines are still assigned to the Horse Pasture Fire and will continue to patrol and monitor for the foreseeable future.
The fire, currently mapped at 5,000 acres, is now
95% contained.
“The weather is certainly giving firefighters a little extra assistance in suppressing the fire; It is a welcome addition to the firefighting effort,” said
Lucas Graf, District Ranger for the McKenzie Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grassland. Prior to this weekend’s wintery rain and snow mix, firefighters had reached 90% containment on the fire.
Graf added, “We couldn’t have gotten here without the help of local volunteers, VFDs, and first responders. The weather conditions and fire activity on the [April] 3
rd posed a real challenge to those folks, and they did an amazing job of holding the fire, particularly the finger on the northwest side, until air support and additional ground resources could arrive. This cold and wet weather is increasing our confidence in the containment lines established over the past week. We are also grateful for all the food and medical supply donation
KNBN NewsCenter1
April 10, 2021
NPS Photo/R. Skalsky
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK, N.D. Firefighters are making progress with the eight-square-mile Horse Pasture Fire in Theodore Roosevelt State Park, reaching 80% containment on Saturday afternoon. Fire activity on Friday and Friday night was minimal, with occasional flare-ups in the interior.
No structure damage has been reported, but officials say some structures could still be at risk.
No injuries or wildlife losses have been reported. Over 80 firefighters from state and federal agencies are working on the blaze.
The Horse Pasture Fire was initially reported on Saturday, April 3, in the McKenzie Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grassland. The Little Missouri National Grassland is the largest grassland in the country at 1,033,271 acres.