(Official) Northern Cheyenne Tribal Fire Support
As of August 8th 2021, Northern Cheyenne Tribe has issued pre-evacuation advisory for the residents living on US-212 within the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. On August 10th 2021 The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Government declared a State of Emergency due to the uncontained Lame Deer & Richard Springs wildland fires. These fires have devastated the land, businesses, homes, buildings, livestock, and our wildlife. Which also created a danger to the health and safety of our tribal members and people of the surrounding areas. As of August 13th 2021, the fires have burnt up to 168,000+ acres and continues to grow. Currently both fires are 0% contained. The fires have also destroyed power lines causing outages for up to 3-5 days.
500 people from Ashland, Lame Deer, Birney, and Muddy districts within the reservation have taken refuge to the shelters set up by Red Cross in Busby, Colstrip, and Crow Agency. Currently, Lame Deer residents are still under full evacuation orders due to the high risks involved with both fires still being active.
The tribal government is requesting and welcoming any and all support/aid/relief to assist during this severe hardship to our homelands and people.
What is needed: Water, food, medical supplies, fire supplies, care taking needs and items for our elders and handicap, child and infant supplies/food, and fuel. Supplies for our young children as they are placed in shelters such as crayons, coloring books, and reading material. Donations for livestock such as hay, grains, water, salt bricks, fencing material, panels and any financial support.
The Lame Deer Indian Health Service has been temporarily shutdown due to poor air quality and the extremely close proximity of the wildland fires. Therefore, all emergency, pharmacy, and medical needs will be sent over to Crow Agency Indian Health Service or Colstrip, MT Emergency center.
Damage cost from the fires are estimated within the millions and increasing, because the fires are still on going.
We thank you for your support and prayers.
Northern Cheyenne Tribe
