Fire burning in Browning prompts schools, tribal offices, roads to close

Nora Mabie, Great Falls Tribune
·1 min read
Crews work to suppress a fire east of Browning.
Crews work to suppress a fire east of Browning.

A fire near U.S. Highways 2 and 89 east of Browning has burned between 400 and 500 acres, prompting school and office closures and evacuations.

Carter Gallineaux, acting fire management officer for Blackfeet Fire Management, said the cause of the fire is unknown and crews are still working to suppress it. He said Blackfeet Fire Management; Blackfeet volunteers; and crews from Babb, St. Mary, Liberty County, Flathead County, Pondera County, Cut Bank, Shelby and Heart Butte are assisting in suppression efforts.

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A fire east of Browning has burned between 400 and 500 acres.
A fire east of Browning has burned between 400 and 500 acres.

The Blackfoot community, home to about 100 residents, has been evacuated, and a shelter has been set up at Browning Middle School (900 S Piegan St.).

Tribal offices and Browning Public Schools are closed due to the fire fire, high winds and a lack of electricity. Highway 2 from Browning to Meriweather is also closed. Motorists are encouraged to stay off the roads or use alternative routes.

A fire has burned between 400 and 500 acres east of Browning.
A fire has burned between 400 and 500 acres east of Browning.

"Wind is our biggest factor right now," Gallineaux said. The National Weather Service on Wednesday morning reported wind gusts up to 85 mph in Browning and up to 102 mph in East Glacier.

Gallineaux said while it's unusual to have a fire in winter months, it's not impossible.

A fire has burned between 400 and 500 acres east of Browning.
A fire has burned between 400 and 500 acres east of Browning.

"We haven't had significant moisture in nine months. Everything is really dry. We've been in a 'red flag' for the last seven days. Usually, we have snow on the ground. Last September, we had snow. Now it's December and no snow," he said.

If you have questions on the fire or evacuations, call Blackfeet Fire Management at (406) 338-2946.

A fire burns east of Browning.
A fire burns east of Browning.

This story will be updated as updates become available.

Nora Mabie covers Indigenous communities for the Great Falls Tribune. She can be reached at nmabie@greatfallstribune.com. Follow her on Facebook @NoraMabieJournalist or on Twitter @NoraMabie.

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This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Fire near Browning prompts highway, tribal office closures