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Blackfeet Tribe Declares State of Emergency: Two Major Fires Cause Evacuations and Highway Closures in Browning Area

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jan 4, 2012 at 11:20 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 5, 2012 at 4:39 PM MDT

Blackfeet Tribe has declared a state of emergency after several large fires have caused highway closures and evacuations and wild winds may be to blame.

Wayne Smith, Director of Communications for Blackfoot Tribe, says the Browning area is dealing with two major fires from the “Y” east of Browning all the way to Blackfoot, with a fire from Duck Lake Road east to the Boarding School area.

Smith says every jurisdiction in the area is working on the blaze and Highway 2 is closed with police in front of the fire leading evacuations.

Authorities are working on closing Highway 89 south of Browning as well. Smith says evacuations are underway for the Boarding School and Cutbank Creek areas and the “Y” from where Highway 2 converges all the way east to Meriwether.

The road is closed at Meriwether and flames have made their way to Meriwether east of Browning covering a distance of about 25 miles according to smith.

Browning State Senator Shannon Augare says he believes about 100 people have been evacuated, including 50 families alone. He asks if you are not in immediate danger to please stay indoors.

Tribal officials say if you need a safe place to go and need to evacuate you can go to the Tribal Administration Building and the Red Cross is on its way.

Augare says he believes the fire was caused by a downed power line fueled by high winds and with high wind advisories scheduled for Thursday, residents are very concerned.

Smith says currently there are no injury reports. Senator Augare says “if they are in harm’s way, if people are in danger, we’re asking you to evacuate immediately and to essentially go to safe sheltered areas. If you are close to Browning we have opened up the main tribal facility and we’re asking people to check in there if they need a safe place, comfortable, for the time being, utilize that safe harbor.”

Augare also posted the following on his Twitter account;

"Several families, including mine have evacuated from our homes in Blackfeet Country.. An estimated 5 massive fires are in progress.."

"Local police, fire and EMS crews are everywhere.. Responding where they are able to. Please keep these individuals in your prayers."

"The Blackfeet Tribe has opened our main Tribal Business Office for those who need emergency shelter.."

We will have more from Browning Thursday on NewsChannel 5 at 5, 6 and 10.

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