FERGUS COUNTY, Mont. (NMB) – The Taylor Fire burning in Fergus County between Denton and Winifred was estimated at 28,000 acres with 10 percent containment as of Friday morning.
The cause of the fire — which began on August 1st and is burning timber, sage and hay fields, primarily on private lands — remains under investigation.
Kate Wilson of the DNRC says authorities are working on getting an accurate count of the number of structures burned. She says that no primary residences have been destroyed, but it is believed that “several” secondary buildings, such as outbuildings and sheds, have burned.
Wilson says two firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze, but neither required hospitalization. One was a chronic wrist injury that flared up, while the other was debris in a firefighters’ eye that had to be washed out.
No evacuations have been ordered at this time. Bear Springs Road is only open for local residents and fire personnel.
Local, federal and state officials are all working to suppress the blaze, with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s County Assist Team (CAT) having assumed command of the fire on Friday morning. The CAT is providing relief for local resources, many of whom have been engaged since the fire was first reported.
300 personnel were at the scene as of Friday morning, working to strengthen control lines and engage in full suppression efforts.
The estimated acreage of the fire is likely to change as mapping efforts continue.
