Single Publication

Elkhorn Fire Evening Update - 10/6/2026

Acres: 22,430

Containment: 20%

Update: 

Today, the Civil Air Patrol was able to fly the fire and mapped the burn area at 22,430 acres. The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) utilized a Blackhawk helicopter to perform bucket drops in rugged areas that are difficult to access by vehicle, both on the north side of the fire and at the east end. Additionally, two air tanker fire retardant drops took place on the north side of the fire. Some mop up work was started as well. 

Crews assigned to the south side of the fire were able to keep the fire north of County Road 34 and stopped much of the fire’s movement toward the east. 

Tomorrow, the NDNG will be back with the Blackhawk. Work will continue on the north side of the fire in the Rough Creek drainage along Road 8562. “Favorable weather conditions over the next couple of days will aid firefighters in continuing progress with containment of the fire,” said Dave Uhlich, Fire Chief of the Watford City Fire Department.  

The Little Missouri National Grassland would like to say Thank You to the all the cooperators and knowledgeable landowners who have been working alongside us in this endeavor. 

Available Resources:

• If you are missing livestock in the aftermath of this or other recent fires in western ND, please contact the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association at (701) 595-2421 (chief brand inspector), (701) 214-7709 (executive vice president) or (701) 223-2522 (office) or by emailing cward@ndstockmen.org or jellingson@ndstockmen.org to file a missing livestock report.
• Stress and Mental Health Resources: https://www.ndsu.edu/.../farm-safety-health/managing-stress
• Call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – www.hhs.nd.gov/988