Over 55 acres near Manderson burned as control of scheduled burn is lost

On July 15, multiple agencies responded to an out-of-control fire in the riverbed near Manderson. County Fire Warden Brent Godfrey stated that 55.9 acres were burned before the fire was contained. 

The fire started as a controlled burn; it had been called into the Big Horn County Sheriff’s office prior to burning. Sometime before 1 p.m., control of the fire was lost. Godfrey said the firefighters fought the fire until nearly 6 p.m. They were called back to the location for flareups. 

In addition to the Manderson Fire Department, firefighters from Basin, Worland, the Bureau of Land Management and Big Horn National Forest responded. 

No structures were burned but the fire took out fences and a pivot. Godfrey stressed that with the extreme hot weather and winds people should be extremely cautious. Trash barrels should be covered, water or fire extinguisher should be nearby and always call the Big Horn County Dispatch prior to burning. That number is 307-568-2324. 

You can never be too careful, he added.