"This incident is notable for its rapid change in reported acreage within a short period, highlighting the dynamic nature of lightning‑initiated fires in the region. Although the fire remains small, it underscores the ongoing risk of natural ignition sources during dry conditions."
The Whitetail Creek wildfire, located in Billings County, North Dakota, was first reported on August 28, 2026, at 12:42 p.m. The incident, caused by natural lightning, was initially measured at 25 acres. By 2:40 p.m. the reported area had decreased to 23 acres, with no containment reported at either time. The United States Forest Service is the jurisdictional agency overseeing the response, and no personnel or cost estimates have been released. The fire remains active with no documented changes in behavior or containment across the two timeline entries.
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Reporting area: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
Observed: 2026-10-10 04:00:00 UTC · Site: Theodore Roosevelt NP - Painted Canyon VC.
General wildfire safety guidance applies: stay informed of local fire conditions, avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires, and follow any official evacuation or shelter instructions if issued.
IRWIN ID: {572BDEAE-702E-4A56-93DA-86E60A37A694}
Discovered: Aug 28, 2026
Cause: Natural
Managing Agency: USFS
Coordinates: 47.205, -103.341
Other wildfires no longer present in our filtered incident feed in ND.
The Whitetail Creek Fire has burned 23 acres as of August 28, 2026.
Containment has not been officially reported for the Whitetail Creek Fire.
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Whitetail Creek Fire is burning in Billings, ND.
The Whitetail Creek Fire currently meets our U.S. incident tracking criteria. This does not confirm current fire behavior.
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