Richard Spring

 At 10:00 pm on August 21, Northern Rockies Team 3 turned command of Richard Spring fire back to the local unit. The Lame Deer fire was turned back on August 20. 

The Richard Spring Fire was identified on August 8, 2021 about 10 miles southwest of Colstrip, MT. Since then, it has burned along the Tongue River and has threatened multiple communities and infrastructure within the area. Prior to the cooler temperatures, fire behavior was extreme with wind driven runs and is burning in mainly brush, short grass, and timber.  
 
The Lame Deer fire was identified on August 10, 2021 and is located approximately 5 miles NW of Lame Deer, MT. The cause of both fires was coal seams.  
 

Rosebud County Fire Warden and Rosebud County Sheriff have downgraded the evacuation status for the community of Ashland, including the Ashland Divide, Rabbit Town, North Tongue River Road, and the St. Labre Indian Academy Campus, from Level 3 “Go Now” stage to a Level 1 “Be Ready” stage.  
 

The Northern Cheyenne Disaster & Emergency Services have downgraded the evacuation status for the community of Lame Deer, Muddy Cluster, and Rosebud Cut Across from Level 3 “Go Now” to Level 2 “Set” stage for all those who do not have medical conditions. Pre-evacuation notices remain in effect for Rosebud Creek from Greenleaf Creek to Cherry Creek and the Lame Deer Divide Road located on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation south of Lame Deer.  

Residents should continue to check Rosebud County Sheriff’s and DES Facebook pages, Northern Cheyenne Disaster & Emergency Services Facebook page, as well as the Richard Spring InciWeb page, as evacuation and road closure status are being evaluated frequently and could change rapidly.