Wildfire near Medora close to containment, blaze smaller than first thought

Fargo, ND, USA / The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO

Apr 2, 2021 | 3:52 AM

North Dakota National Guard Blackhawk dropping water on wildfire near Medora. (Photo: NDNG)

MEDORA, ND (KFGO) – Residents of Medora forced to evacuate as a large wildfire approached have been able to return to their homes.

Medora, with its population of about 100, was evacuated Thursday as firefighters worked to stop the blaze from spreading.

Authorities on Friday reduced the estimated size of the fire from about 15 square miles to about 4 1/2 square miles. There were no reports of injuries or damaged structures in the community, which is on the doorstep of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

North Dakota has seen a growing number of wildfires with extreme drought conditions across the state.