(RAPID CITY)-The Great Plains Fire Information Center said lightning from passing thunderstorms started four new wildfires in our region Tuesday. One of the fires was about 10 miles south of Crawford and the other three were in Crook County, Wyoming.

The center says the Manning Fire south of Crawford near Belmont is now lined and good progress is being made. The Crawford and Chadron volunteer fire departments were on the scene and were assisted by federal and state firefighters in extinguishing flames. The fire started on private land and had burned about 10 acres. Containment is currently unknown; a call has been put in requesting more information.

               The three other fires in Wyoming, the Juniper, Christianson, and Sugar Loaf Fires, have been 100 percent contained. According to Crook County Fire Warden Gari Gill, Crook County had 92 lightning strikes that hit the ground Tuesday. Three fires were the result, and, since most of them were dry cells, fire crews might very well be chasing smoke again soon.

Juniper Fire

The Juniper Fire started on private land, 12 miles east of the town of Moorcroft, in Crook County, Wyoming and was contained at 17.9 acres. 

Size: 14.9 acres                                 Cause:   Lightning             Containment: 100%

 

Christiansen Fire

The Christianson Fire also started in Crook County, approximately five miles southeast of Inyan Kara Mountain. Federal firefighters assisted Crook County forces in containing this fire.

Size: 2 acres                                       Cause: Lightning                              Containment:   100%

 

Sugar Loaf

This Sugar Loaf Fire was located in Wyoming, five miles north of Cook Lake on private property. A dozer line has been constructed and mop-up is going well. The Incident Commander estimates containment by 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night.

Size: 1 acre                                         Cause:   Lightning                             Containment:   100%

--Information from Great Plains Fire Information