Drought, lightning lead to several area fires

Last weekend Alzada Fire Department, Carter County Rural Fire, and Ekalaka Volunteer Fire Department handled three fires in Carter County. Late Monday night and early Tuesday morning a thunderstorm producing a great deal of lightning and little rain started several more fires.

The largest of these fires, the Coffee Pot Fire, is estimated to have burned nearly 2,000 acres near the Powder River breaks.

Units came from Custer County, Fallon County, Plevna and Camp Crook to assist in suppression efforts by BLM, Forest Service, private individuals, Carter County Rural Fire, and EVFD. County and pri...