Pfluger Fire Update: April 9, 1800 hours
Location: approximately 15 miles southeast of Wall, Tom Green County
Acreage: 142 acres
Containment: 50% 

Fire behavior was extremely active due to wind speeds but has significantly diminished. Short range spotting and single tree torching in the juniper was observed earlier in the day. Dozers were making slow progress due to the spotting issues but have picked up speed with the improving conditions. Crews continue to work on constructing containment line around the fire.   

Fire Weather:  When the fire was reported, at Wall, the temperature was 94 degrees, winds from the northwest at 17 mph gusting to 20 mph, and the relative humidity value was 9 percent. The gusty northwest winds will continue through late this afternoon, then become north at around 15 mph, with higher gusts, early this evening as a cold front moves through the region. Relative humidity values will remain below 10 percent through early this evening, then slowly begin to climb. Relative humidity values will reach near 25 percent by 10 PM and near 40 percent by midnight.

Termination of an OrderOrder Number 01-18-08-21-03Dakota Prairie GrasslandsMcKenzie Ranger DistrictTermination of an Order Dakota Prairie Grasslands Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a), the prohibition listed in Order number 01-18-08-21-03, applicable to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, McKenzie Ranger District, dated April 12, 2021, and signed by Bennie H. South is hereby terminated.Executed in Bismarck, North Dakota, this 15th day of April 2021 and effective as of this date.
forBennie H. SouthGrasslands Supervisor

Termination of an OrderOrder Number 01-18-08-21-02Dakota Prairie GrasslandsMcKenzie Ranger DistrictTermination of an Order Dakota Prairie Grasslands Pursuant to Title 36 CFR261.50(a), theprohibition listed in Order number 01-18-08-21-02, applicable to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands,McKenzie Ranger District, dated April 5, 2021, and signed by Bennie H. South is herebyterminated.Executed in Bismarck, North Dakota, this 12th day of April 2021 and effective as of this date.
 forBennie H. SouthGrasslands Supervisor
 

Termination of an OrderOrder Number 01-18-08-21-01Dakota Prairie GrasslandsMcKenzie Ranger DistrictTermination of an Order Dakota Prairie Grasslands Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a), theprohibition listed in Order number 01-18-08-21-01, applicable to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands,McKenzie Ranger District, dated April 4, 2021, and signed by Bennie H. South is herebyterminated.Executed in Bismarck, North Dakota, this 12th day of April 2021 and effective as of this date.
 BennieH. South'Grasslands Supervisor

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Post Office Box 7

Medora, North Dakota 58645

Temporary Safety Closure By order of the Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and under the authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section 1.5(a)(1): All areas of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park north of the scenic drive from the park entrance to the Caprock Coulee Nature Trailhead are closed to visitor use until further notice. This temporary closure includes sections of the Buckhorn Trail north of the scenic drive and the spur to the Caprock Trail. The Caprock Coulee Nature Trail will remain open. All visitor use of this area is prohibited and backcountry camping permits for the closure zone shall not be issued. This temporary safety closure is necessary to assess the impact of wildland fire damage and to allow for a safety assessment of the area. The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Cooperation with this temporary closure order is appreciated. This designation will remain in place until rescinded.

Wendy Ross

Superintendent

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Order Number 01-18-08-21-03

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

DAKOTA PRAIRIE GRASSLANDS

MCKENZIE RANGER DISTRICT

WATFORD CITY, NORTH DAKOTA

OCCUPANCY AND USE - AREA AND TRAIL CLOSURES

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on the McKenzie Ranger District, Dakota Prairie Grasslands:

PROHIBITION:

1.            When provided by an order, it is prohibited to go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of: Public Health and Safety. 36 C.F.R. 53(e)

2.            Being on a closed trail. 36 C.F.R. 261.55 (a)

AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTION:

The North Boundary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit, West of Highway 85, continuing West until National Forest Service (NFSR) #851 and South of 17th Street Northwest. This area includes Sections 8, 17, and 21 and portions of Sections 4, 5, 9, 20, and 22 ofT.148N., R.99W; entire Sections of 8, 17, and 21 and portions of Sections 2, 11, and 14 of T.148N., R. l 00W, McKenzie County, 5th PM, No1th Dakota. This includes the Wolf Trail.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety.

IMPLEMENTATION:

This order will be in effect starting April 12, 2021 and shall remain in effect for 30 days or until the order is rescinded.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.S0(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

 April 12, 2021

For immediate release     

Rain and Snow Provide Additional Assistance to Firefighters

Watford City — Wintery weather conditions that developed over this weekend are a welcome sight to the firefighters that have been working the Horse Pasture Fire for the past week. The fire, currently mapped at 5,000 acres, is now 95% contained.

“The weather is certainly giving firefighters a little extra assistance in suppressing the fire; It is a welcome addition to the firefighting effort,” said Lucas Graf, District Ranger for the McKenzie Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grassland. Prior to this weekend’s wintery rain and snow mix, firefighters had reached 90% containment on the fire. Graf added, “We couldn’t have gotten here without the help of local volunteers, VFDs, and first responders. The weather conditions and fire activity on the [April] 3rd posed a real challenge to those folks, and they did an amazing job of holding the fire, particularly the finger on the northwest side, until air support and additional ground resources could arrive. This cold and wet weather is increasing our confidence in the containment lines established over the past week. We are also grateful for all the food and medical supply donations that we received from the community. That support really went a long way with everyone working the fire.”

Firefighters from local, state, and federal agencies have been battling the Horse Pasture Fire since it was reported on the afternoon of April 3, 2021 on the Little Missouri National Grassland, near the Horse Pasture Dams, located just north of Theodore Roosevelt National Park — North Unit. The fire burned lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, State of North Dakota, and some private lands. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

On Sunday, April 11, 2021 the fire was downgraded to a Type 4 incident. This decrease in complexity was due to the increased containment on the fire and the drawdown of equipment and personnel assigned to the fire. Outgoing Type 3 Incident Commander, Jay Mickey stated, “As resources are no longer needed on a fire, they are released back to their home units and are made available for new assignments. It looks like the summer fire season in the U.S. is already here, and we want to make sure that resources are back at their home units, and ready to respond as needed.”

Firefighters and engines are still assigned to the Horse Pasture Fire and will continue to patrol and monitor for the foreseeable future. Wendy Ross, Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park stated, “Smoke and flames in the interior of the fire may be visible, especially as vegetation begins to dry out after this recent precipitation. The grassy areas near the fire perimeter are not showing signs of residual heat, however the badlands areas, especially within [Theodore Roosevelt National Park] the park may continue to smoke for the foreseeable future.” Ross added, “As it is safe to do so, we will be reopening portions of the park to allow visitors to see first-hand how nature recovers from fire. As new grass begins to emerge, the bison will be seen feasting on the new growth.”

The McKenzie Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grassland has lifted a portion of the previous closure order (01-18-08-21-02) for areas south of the Little Missouri River.  Areas reopened include the CCC Campground, the Maah Daah Hey Trail from the CCC Campground South to NFSR 823, the Long X and Sunset Trails, Summit Campground, and the Summit Overlook and Viewpoint Trails. In cooperation with the Forest Service, McKenzie County reopened Long X Road west of Highway 85 leading to the CCC Campground.  

Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Unit will open the 14-mile scenic drive, including pullouts, to vehicles beginning Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. All areas north of the scenic drive from the park entrance to the Caprock Coulee Nature Trailhead will remain closed to all visitors, including the Buckhorn Trail (north of the Scenic Drive) and the spur to the Caprock Trail.  The Caprock Coulee Nature Trail is open. Backcountry access is prohibited in the closure area, and backcountry camping permits for the closed areas are rescinded until further notice. Areas south of the Scenic Drive, including the Juniper Campground and the Group Campground are open, as is the Achenbach trail and the southern section of the Buckhorn Trail.  

Fire restrictions and area closures will be adjusted as necessary. For current restrictions pertaining to the Little Missouri National Grassland, please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/dpg/alerts-notices.

And for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, please visit: www.nps.gov/thro.

This will be the last update provided, unless activity and conditions warrant.

High Winds Challenge Firefighters on the Horse Pasture Fire

4/9/2021 – Fire activity on the Horse Pasture Fire remained high on Thursday, however no new growth was reported. Strong winds continued to be a challenge for firefighters, as they worked to keep the fire within established firelines. Flare ups were visible as large pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter were consumed.

As of Thursday evening, the fire is estimated to be 5,000 acres in size with 70% containment. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area through Friday evening, with winds forecasted from the northwest at 20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph. Red Flag conditions may continue into the weekend.

Over 80 firefighters from state and federal agencies are working to suppress the Horse Pasture Fire.

Initial Attack resources assigned to the Horse Pasture Fire were dispatched Thursday evening to assist with a new fire start southwest of Williston near Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

Several closures remain in place for areas impacted by the Horse Pasture Fire. The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park remains closed. The McKenzie Ranger District of the Little Missouri National Grasslands closed the CCC Campground, the northernmost portion of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, the Long X and Sunset Trail, Summit Campground, and the Summit Overlook and Viewpoint Trails. Closure orders are posted on the Horse Pasture Fire Inciweb page listed below.

In addition to the area closures, fire restrictions have been implemented by land management agencies and counties within the areas surrounding the Horse Pasture Fire. With the approaching weekend, please recreate responsibly and check for fire restrictions.

Additional information for the Horse Pasture Fire can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7372/

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Post Office Box 7

Medora, North Dakota 58645

Safety Closure- Fire Suppression Activities

By order of the Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and under the authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section 1.5(a)(1):

The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is closed to all visitor use effective immediately due to ongoing wildland firefighting activities on and near developed areas.

Residents of the park will be allowed to remain in park housing but shall be on standby notice to abide by an evacuation order for the duration of the closure. Residents are defined as employees and cohabitating family members of National Park Service Employees who reside in government owned housing.

The closure area will be monitored to ensure compliance. Cooperation with this temporary closure order is appreciated.

This designation will remain in place until rescinded.

Wendy Ross

Superintendent

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Order Number 01-18-08-21-02

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

DAKOTA PRAIRIE GRASSLANDS MCKENZIE RANGER DISTRICT WATFORD CITY, NORTH DAKOTA

OCCUPANCY AND USE - AREA AND TRAIL CLOSURES

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on the McKenzie Ranger District, Dakota Prairie Grasslands:

PROHIBITION:

1. When provided by an order, it is prohibited to go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of: Public Health and Safety. 36 C.F.R. 53(e)

2. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. 261.55 (a)

AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTION:

The closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands including roads and trails, depicted on the attached map (Attachment A).

The North Boundary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit, West of Highway 85, continuing West until National Forest Service (NFSR) #851 and South of 17th Street Northwest. This area includes Sections 8, 17, and 21 and portions of Sections 4, 5, 9, 20, and 22 of T.148N., R.99W; entire Sections of 8, 17, and 21 and portions of Sections 2, 11, and 14 of T.148N., R.100W, McKenzie County, 5th PM, North Dakota.

The South Boundary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit, West of Highway 85, unit National Forest System Road (NFSR) #823. This area includes Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23 and portions of Sections 2, 3, 4, 13, 24, 22 of T.147N., R.99N.; entire Sections of 12, 13, 22, 24, 27, 34 and portions of Section 23 of T.147N., R.100W

This Closure includes CCC Campground, the Maah Daah Hey Trail (NFST #801) from CCC Campground South to NFSR 823, the Long X (NFST#8002) and Sunset Trail, Summit Campground, and the Summit Overlook Viewpoint Trails (NFST#’s 8003, 8017

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety during fire suppression operations.

IMPLEMENTATION:

This order will be in effect starting April 5, 2021 and shall remain in effect for 30 days or until the order is rescinded.