ND grasslands fire grows to more than 4 1/2 miles

MARMARTH, N.D. (AP) — Officials say a grass fire in southwestern North Dakota has grown to an estimated 3,000 acres, or an area of more than 4 1/2 miles.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Babete Anderson says about 100 personnel were battling the Deep Creek 2 fire Saturday north of Marmarth, which is near the North Dakota and Montana border.

Anderson says the fire, which was started by lightning, is burning grass, sage brush and juniper. No structures were threatened as of Saturday morning.

Says Anderson, “We're working, we're progressing, we're getting some things completed.”

Anderson says another blaze was reported Friday night in western North Dakota. She says the Sail Fire covered about 200 acres Saturday morning.

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