Swift Dam Area under Evacuation Due to Spotted Eagle Fire

The Blackfeet Tribal Council has issued the following notice:

Today with the high winds, the fire has picked up. All available resources are on this. Aircraft and Smoke-jumpers are now on site. Due to the area and the terrain, it is not safe to put fire personnel on site of the fire.

The fire is currently at 50,000+ acres. Resident of the Swift Dam area are currently under evacuation by the Pondera County Sheriff's Office. The Heart Butte and surrounding area is still under evacuation order.

The main focus is the safety of the community. At this time, it is not known when residents will be allowed back to their homes.

A concern is the high amount of traffic on the BIA Route 1 (Heart Butte Road). There is a lot of fire activity on this road, and we ask for the safety of yourselves and and the fire personnel, to refrain from driving on this road. Law Enforcement will be stationed at designated areas to stop all non-fire-related vehicles.

All Febhttp://k96fm.com/essex-evacuation-ends-hwy-2-opens-monday-morning/eral, state, Tribal and local agencies are working together to provide for the safety of all residents of the Heart Butte Community and the Blackfeet Nation.

We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Signed:

Robert DesRosier, Homeland Security/DES

Carter Gallineaux, Public Information Officer