(MILES CITY, Mont.) – A thunderstorm that moved through the Miles City area on Wednesday, August 12, started two new fires on BLM land in Custer County.
The Deadman Fire, located 10 miles north of Miles City, burned ten acres of grass and sagebrush. Meanwhile, the Norton Fire has burned two acres of pine and grass on land 11 miles north of the community of Locate.
The storm started seven other fires in southeastern Montana. BLM, State and County fire resources are working to suppress all these fires.
Eastern Montana received over 8,000 lightning strikes from this single thunderstorm. Fire managers expect more undetected holdovers to pop up in the next few days.
The public is encouraged to be on the lookout for fires and to report any new fire starts to 911 in case of an emergency, or by calling the Miles City Interagency Dispatch Center at 406-233-2900.
More fire information can be found at http://www.wildcad.net/WCMT-MCC.htm. For the latest BLM news and updates visit us on the web at www.blm.gov/mt, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontana , or follow us on Twitter @BLM_MTDKs and @BLM_MTDK_Fire
Source: BLM Montana/Dakotas