The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The East Fork Fire began late Sunday afternoon, August 27, on Rocky Boy reservation. By the week's end the fire had spread north and east to parts of Hill and Blaine Counties as well as Beaver Creek Park. At press time for the "Journal" on the first of September, the fire encompassed 15,000 acres, involved 160 firefighters and threatened 160 structures and much farm and ranch land. A Type I Incident Management Team was being assembled to take over management of the situation. Special Type I teams are reserved for disasters with greatest potential negative impact on an area.

While the wildfire posed many threats, it also brought out much about the nature of our communities. Daryn Kagan, a broadcast journalist, once said, "Bad things do happen in the world...but out of those situations always arise stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things." The response from many local residents to the challenges of the fire was an extraordinary thing.

County volunteers and governments respond

By mid-week the wildfire had expanded beyond the reservation and was heading north and east. On Wednesday rural residents in some of southwest Blaine County were evacuated. Over in Hill County the fire encroached into Beaver Creek Park, putting cabins and camps facilities at risk. Some cabins and out buildings did burn. Volunteer firefighters, along with ranchers and farmers, made herculean efforts to contain the fire.

Because areas of Hill County were first affected by the spread of the fire, the county's Emergency Operation Center (EOC) was activated. On Wednesday, Blaine County opened its Emergency Coordination Center (ECC). Staffers explained the local center became operational during emergencies, including flooding, fires or other major events. From the ECC Blaine County officials would oversee the firefighting operations during the wildfire. Before the fire actually reached Blaine County, local firefighters and related fire equipment were involved with the East Fork Fire through Mutual Aid agreements with other local governments.

The county health departments in both Blaine and Hill Counties handled most of the local postings involving the East Fork Fire for their respective counties. In Hill County, health department staffers issue a "fact sheet" and "press release" at least three times a day-at noon, 3pm and 6pm. The Blaine County health department issues fire status posts, as well as related health warnings (air quality, for example) as needed. The website addresses are shown at the end of this article.

See Page A8: East Fork Fire

Citizens respond to help rural residents

and volunteer firefighters

Social media, particularly Facebook, has been a major way that people have communicated information about the East Fork Fire and connected with others to help locals affected by the fire. What began as some random acts of kindness by individuals soon became a coordinated effort. Volunteers began gathering and distributing needed items to the residents and firefighters in the affected parts of Blaine County.

Tess Langford and Roxanne Townsend, both of Chinook, explained how they saw a number of posts on Facebook by folks who were gathering food and water to take to the firefighters and to rural residents whose farms and ranches were threatened. They said, "First the efforts were by many individuals, then the churches and some businesses began gathering and distributing supplies. We decided to see if we could get a coordinated effort going." What resulted was a central location, courtesy of the Chinook Eagles Club, to receive, then distribute food and other supplies to folks where the fire was going on.

Asked what kind of supplies were sent out and on what kind of a schedule, Townsend said, "It really depends on the needs of the people out near the area of the fire. Sometimes they need food, sometimes they need dust/smoke masks, or fuel or any number of things they can use to make their lives a little more comfortable and safe." She added, "Typically we send out supplies four or five times a day. One trip might include bagged lunches, drinks and ice. Right now the people in the field are telling us they have enough food but need paper products and items for personal hygiene-like paper plates and cups, paper towels, toilet paper, wipes, Chapstick and sun screen."

As to distribution to the firefighters, Tess Langford explained, "Our vehicles with supplies go from the Eagles Club to Crowley's Ranch and Bear Paw School (both on Clear Creek Road southwest of Chinook). From there, several ladies determine where and how to get supplies to the fire crews and residents." Langford said as the fire moves the distribution locations would also have to move. She added, "We have purposefully kept most of the supplies here at the Eagles. If we have to move a distribution site, or a site gets burned, it would be problematic." While visiting with Townsend and Langford several people came in with supplies they were donating.

Cash donations are also appreciated. Ezzie's and CHS have set up accounts to accept cash for fuel and Finley's Food Farm will accept cash to provide food and related items. Cash donations are also being taken at the Blaine County Extension office for items not available at the above businesses.

Ways to help and find general information

about the East Fork Fire

These websites provide updates about the status of the fire: for Blaine County, go to the 'facebook blaine county health department' for updates about conditions regarding the fire; go to 'facebook hill county health department' to see posts at noon, 3pm and 6pm about the size of the fire, the firefighters involved and any significant changes in the status of the fire. For lists of needed supplies in Blaine County see posts on these Facebook sites: Chinook Eagles, Chinook Presbyterian Church, MSU Extension for Blaine County and the county health department's site.

Describing the response from the local area to help folks affected by and fighting the fire, Tess Langford said, "I really appreciate the level of support people have shown. The response is humbling, I'm so grateful for all the help. And the people out south where the fire is still burning have expressed their gratitude also." On a Facebook post after the coordinated effort was organized and was operating, Roxanne Townsend posted, "What a day! What a community!" That pretty well sums it up-a bad fire brought out the best in the community. What a community!