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Tag: Horse Pasture Fire

Update on the fire in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories WildfireTags ,

The fire in North Dakota has burned about 5,000 acres

7:07 p.m. MDT April 9, 2021

Horse Pasture Fire
Fire activity on the Horse Pasture Fire April 8, 2021 as islands of unburned fuel within the perimeter continue to burn. NPS photo.

Below is an update on the Horse Pasture Fire in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. It was released by the Park Service Friday afternoon April 9, 2021.

Fire activity on the Horse Pasture Fire remained high on Thursday, however no new growth was reported. Strong winds continued to be a challenge for firefighters, as they worked to keep the fire within established firelines. Flare ups were visible as large pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter were consumed.

As of Thursday evening, the fire is estimated to be 5,000 acres in size with 70% containment. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area through Friday evening, with winds forecasted from the northwest at 20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph. Red Flag conditions may continue into the weekend.

Over 80 firefighters from state and federal agencies are working to suppress the fire.

Initial Attack resources assigned to the Horse Pasture Fire were dispatched Thursday evening to assist with a new fire southwest of Williston near Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

Several closures remain in place. The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park remains closed. The McKenzie Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grasslands closed the CCC Campground, the northernmost portion of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, the Long X and Sunset Trail, Summit Campground, and the Summit Overlook, and Viewpoint Trails.

Map Horse Pasture Fire April 7, 2021
Map of the Horse Pasture Fire, April 7, 2021.

North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park still closed due to wildfire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories WildfireTags , ,

The Horse Pasture Fire has burned about 5,000 acres in North Dakota

MD-87 drops on the Horse Pasture Fire in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, April, 2021.
MD-87 drops on the Horse Pasture Fire in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, April, 2021. Photo courtesy of NPS.

The National Park Service said Tuesday morning that the Horse Pasture Fire which has required the closure of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, has grown to about 5,000 acres. A portion of the 2,000-acre increase over the size announced Monday is a result of burning out to secure firelines. The fire is also burning in the Little Missouri National Grassland north of the park.

The cause is still under investigation. Light winds Monday night and expected on Tuesday had fire personnel optimistic as they continue to contain the blaze. At this time, there is no reported structure damage, but the CCC campground and other infrastructure in the park are still at risk, as well as some private residences on the north end of the fire.

As of 6 p.m. Tuesday afternoon the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park was still closed due to the fire.

Map of the Horse Pasture Fire
Map of the Horse Pasture Fire showing heat detected by a satellite as late as 3:06 p.m. MDT April 5, 2021.

Wildfire forces closure of North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories WildfireTags , ,

The Horse Pasture Fire has burned about 3,000 acres in the North Dakota park

Map of the Horse Pasture Fire in North Dakota
Map of the Horse Pasture Fire in North Dakota showing heat detected by satellites as late as 5:18 a.m. MDT April 5, 2021.

The Horse Pasture Fire in North Dakota has prompted the closure of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Firefighters have conducted firing operations along two roads in the park near the Visitor Center, US Highway 85 and Scenic Drive, to stop any further spread to the south. Incident Commander Jay Mickey told Wildfire Today Monday morning that the firing went well in that area, but they are concerned about strong north winds that are in the forecast. The National Weather Service predicts for the fire area on Monday, 18 mph winds out of the north gusting at 21 to 28 mph with 22 percent relative humidity and a temperature 53 degrees.

Horse Pasture Fire in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Horse Pasture Fire in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Photo by Nick Ybarra. Posted by the NPS April 5; date taken unknown.

Mr. Mickey said the fire has burned approximately 3,000 acres.

The Horse Pasture Fire started on National Grasslands north of the park on April 3 but as of Sunday night about two-thirds of the blaze was inside the park.

Mr. Mickey, the Incident Commander on the Type 3 incident, is the Assistant Regional Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service’s Midwest Region and works out of their office in Omaha.

Monday morning the park’s website included an alert announcing the closure of the North Unit. The South Unit is still open.