ranch hand said:Just like the weather map! Where do they stand or don't show? SE Montana. Talking about all the people that are with out electricity in the nation during the hot weather. Well in the 100's here and they have had no electricity for a week, no phone and no water for the cattle that made it as most have to rely on electricity to run pipe lines as dams are dried up. Can't even cool off, have a cold drink or shower after a break of fighting fire unless you have a generator which most do but using it for cattle water before their needs. Can you tell I am mad?
ranch hand said:That is just it what can you do? They need hay for horses and what cattle they find until they can sell them or find a feedlot as no hay or grass to be found. Many would rather lost their house and saved the ranch.
Oldtimer said:That the main player in the game right now was Mother Nature..
Ash Creek Fire in SE Montana tops 200K+ acres
Posted: Jul 4, 2012 1:02 AM by KTVQ
Updated: Jul 4, 2012 1:02 AM
The largest wildfire currently burning in Montana is the Ash Creek Fire, which Tuesday grew to 204,000 acres and continues to spread.
Containment remains at 55%.
On the ground, firefighters found little help from the weather, with winds gusting up to 35 mile per hour, pushing the fire further.
The wind-fueled fire was traveling up to three miles per hour across the tree tops; on the ground it was moving as fast as 16 miles per hour.
The wind kept the Ash Creek Fire very active to the northeast, but we're told progress was made against the flames in northern and southern sections of the fire zone.
At least 810 firefighters are now helping battle the fire, with the bulk of the firefighters stationed in Ashland.
As hotshot crews worked to protect structures, the flames burned closer to the edge of Highway 212 creating low visibility.
Crews are using various fire fighting techniques, including fire line breaks, to slow the fire's progress.
On Wednesday the fire bosses expect another active day with high temperatures and humidity down into the teens.
We're also told that BLM fire crews are battling two new fire starts near the Ash Creek Fire in the area near Fort Howes.
4,400 Head of Livestock Displaced, 70 Perished
Northern Ag Network posted on July 06, 2012 14:58 :: 32 Views
According to Dick Deshamps, acting State Director for the Montana Farm Service Agency, 4,400 head of livestock have been displaced so far as the Ash Creek Fire continues to burn in southeast Montana. He adds that there is also one report of 70 head that have perished. These are the most official numbers available at this point but, since they are dependant upon reports from producers, could grow significantly once things get more settled down.
With the need for forage extreme, Dick says that they have now opened up CRP for emergency grazing in both Powder River County and Rosebud County. For more details, please read "Emergency CRP Use Approved in Two MT Counties."
In the meantime, whether or not the cattle lost will be protected under a livestock loss program is up in the air. The livestock assistance programs that were involved in the 2008 Farm Bill sunsetted in 2011.
Dick says that the Farm Bill being discussed now may or may not retroactively keep those programs.
Dick encourages anyone with livestock displaced or gone to contact your local FSA office. As of Thursday, they hadn't gotten reports of any displacement or loss from the Dahl Fire.
(ASHLAND, MONTANA) Crews continue to fight wildfires in southeastern Montana, and even though containment is nearing 100 percent, ranchers are just beginning to assess the effects.
Cecil Kolka, 80, has lived at his ranch near Ashland since 1935. He's witnessed crippling fires, but none as devastating as the Ash Creek fire, which scorched more than 200,000 acres.
Kolka owns more than 800 head of cattle and half have been taken by the fire, he estimated.
Scattered deep in the pastures lay dead cattle, some piled on top of other another not able to escape. For those cattle that remained on the ridges of the fire, some have become so badly burned, they aren't expect to survive. Another issue facing owners is the lack of adequate food and water for remaining cattle. More than 8,500 cattle are considered to be affected.
Kolka understands natural disasters but he said it doesn't make it any easier to see his cattle killed by the fire.
Kolka was not the only rancher to lose cattle. Other livestock owners in the area will gather Thursday in Ashland at the local gym to meet with staff members of U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT). The staff will provide information about what resources are available to help recovery from the fires and prevent further losses and damages.
Also assisting livestock producers in the USDA Farm Service Agency. They are creating three programs for ranchers that include "emergency use" of acreage in the Conservation Reserve Program due to the fire. Emergency grazing is also another available option.
For now, ranchers including the Kolka's will continue surviving with their business.
Kolka does not plan on leaving his ranch regardless of the financial impact this fire has created: "We're pretty determined to make this home for the rest of [our lives]."
Source: Dustin Klemann, KTVQ
Posted by Haylie Shipp
