Wildfires on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota have drawn in state support, as the flames continue to threaten forested areas near Belcourt.
Governor Kelly Armstrong has deployed the National Guard to help battle the blazes. Two Black Hawk helicopters are dropping water, and a spotter plane is monitoring flare-ups from above.
Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure says firefighters have been working around the clock, calling the fire activity “like a fire tornado.” He says strong community support has helped emergency crews keep going, with donations and encouragement pouring in.
Meanwhile, in the town of Rolla just south of the fires, residents are returning home after weekend evacuations. One resident, Terri Bercier Hanson, described the moment as “pure panic” when flames reached within 250 feet of her home. Thankfully, no homes or buildings were lost.
Authorities are still investigating how the fires started.
If you’d like to help, food and drink donations are being accepted at the Belcourt Fire Department on BIA Road 7.