Drought, lightning lead to several area fires

Last weekend Alzada Fire Department, Carter County Rural Fire, and Ekalaka Volunteer Fire Department handled three fires in Carter County. Late Monday night and early Tuesday morning a thunderstorm producing a great deal of lightning and little rain started several more fires.

The largest of these fires, the Coffee Pot Fire, is estimated to have burned nearly 2,000 acres near the Powder River breaks.

Units came from Custer County, Fallon County, Plevna and Camp Crook to assist in suppression efforts by BLM, Forest Service, private individuals, Carter County Rural Fire, and EVFD. County and private equipment was used to help build and maintain fire lines. Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, DNRC sent a helicopter to help.

The fire was contained on Tuesday evening.

So far in July, Ekalaka has received 0.56 inches of precipitation, much lower than the July precipitation average of 1.82 inches. The driest July on record came in 1910 when Ekalaka received .02 inches; the wettest year was in 1993, 9.03 inches. In total this year, Ekalaka has received 7.35 inches. Drought conditions look to continue for some time and county officials are urging all residents to take extra precautions and strictly adhere to the burn ban that is in place.