Richard Spring (Wildfire)

The Richard Spring Fire is a fire that is burning 10 miles southwest of Colstrip, MT. Fire behavior is extreme with wind driven runs and is burning in mainly brush, short grass, and timber. The fire is burning on the west side of the Tongue River. The current weather conditions of high winds and low relative humidity combined with high temperatures are expected to continue and sustain or increase fire behavior. Highway 39 is open to limited travel and US 212 is open to local traffic only. Smoke is a hindrance and visibility may be limited.  The communities of Ashland, MT; Colstrip, MT; and Lame Deer, MT are currently threatened and evacuations are in place. The Montana Red Cross has opened an emergency evacuation shelter in Lame Deer for residents displaced by the Richard Spring Fire and is located at the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation at 101 Cheyenne Ave. in Lame Deer, MT. Evacuees can also go to the Broadus Elementary School at 518 Trautman Ave. in Broadus,…