Valentine fire fighting crews returned to the hall shortly before six this morning. Some other crews were still monitoring the area. According to a release from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, As of noon Saturday, the fire perimeter was estimated at 23,000 acres based on preliminary information from heat signature mapping, which is not precise.
The fire started at the West end of Dads Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. According to the release, While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, preliminary information indicates the fire may have been sparked by a UTV used for refuge operations. It is rare for fire officials to release a preliminary cause prior to an investigation concluding, but Valentine National Wildlife Refuge officials are sharing this information in an abundance of transparency with our community.
15 different fire departments along with refuge personnel and private ranch rigs were battling the fire into the night. Tankers from Danielski Farms were called in for more water. Koinzans also sent large tankers. Sandhill Oil set up refueling stations for fire rigs.
The fire headed Southeast pushed by North West winds, winds switched to Northeast which pushed the fire to the Southwest. At one time the blaze was just North of the Brown Lee Road, North of the Dale Pound Ranch before it headed more Westerly toward the McLeod place.
North Central Aviation provided Ariel attacks, which were suspended because of darkness.
Around 7pm Central Time the Cherry County Sheriffs Office asked for an evacuation of the area West of Brown Lee. The State Patrol and Cherry County Hospital Ambulance are also staged at the scene.
Check out KVSH Facebook page for pictures. If you have pictures to share please send to news@kvsh.com or text to 402 376 6842.
