Firefighters Respond to Seven New Fire Starts While Battling Muddy Creek Blaze

The Muddy Creek 2 Fire is still burning in the Northern Cheyenne Indian reservation, but public information officer Gregg Denitto says a lot of new lightning caused fires are becoming the biggest hassle.

"We had at least on or in the vicinity of the reservation, seven new fire starts since Monday," Denitto said. "[Firefighters] have been catching all of the fire starts so far, but the concern now is that this, more typical, warm and dry summer weather, more of those lightning strikes will turn into fires."

At this point, the only active burning on the Muddy Creek 2 fire is inside the perimeter.

"Crews are walking along and going in about 100 feet to 150 from the perimeter,  looking for any signs of heat. They are looking for smoke, even touching the ground with their bare hands, rolling logs... and then if they find any heat they are putting water or dirt on it to get it cool."

As of today, July 29, there were still 216 firefighters at Muddy Creek, but discussions to begin winding down firefighting efforts there have already begun.