BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Residents of a small western North Dakota tourist town forced to evacuate as a large wildfire approached have been able to return to their homes.
The city of Medora, with its population of about 100, was evacuated Thursday as firefighters worked to stop the blaze from spreading.
Authorities on Friday reduced the estimated size of the fire from about 15 square miles to about 4 1/2 square miles.
Crews worked diligently to save the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, home to the Medora Musical.
There were no reports of injuries or damaged structures within the community, which is on the doorstep of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
A fire officials says an electrical line that sagged and arced is blamed for starting the fire.
North Dakota has seen a growing number of wildfires with extreme drought conditions across the state.
***THIS IS AN UPDATE FROM OUR PREVIOUS STORY BELOW***
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Officials say firefighters have stopped a wildfire from spreading in the western North Dakota tourist town of Medora, where its 100 residents were forced to evacuate.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damaged structures in the community, which is on the doorstep of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Crews spared the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, home to the Medora Musical.
Authorities notified Medora residents through a reverse-911 phone system, and Medora police also went door to door. Billings County Chief Deputy Maj. Dean Wyckoff said residents were directed to go to the nearby communities of Belfield or Beach. He didn’t immediately know how many did so.
The fire was considered only about 15% contained as of 7:10 p.m. local time, but crews had the forward progress of the fire stopped and the containment percentage was expected to start rising, according to Misty Hayes, district ranger for the Medora Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grassland.
The blaze has consumed about 15 square miles and started Thursday a few miles southwest of the city, with the wind blowing the flames toward the community.
A fire official says an electrical line that sagged and arced is blamed for starting the fire.
