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National Guard called in for Pine Creek Fire

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LIVINGSTON- The National Guard has been called in to work security on the Pine Creek Fire.

The unarmed security men from the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, out of Belgrade are on scene to keep people from crossing the fire lines.

A fire perimeter is set up along the Yellowstone River. Checkpoints include, to the north - East River Road and Highway 89; middle checkpoint - west of the river on Pine Creek Road; and south checkpoint - on the southern end of fire perimeter on East River Road.

The blaze is now over 12,000 acres in size, with fire managers saying Thursday was an active day for the fire which made a one mile run to the south. Dozens of firefighters are on the ground and being assisted from the air by planes dropping fire retardant and helicopters doing bucket drops.

This fire has been burning since Wednesday, August 29. How it started is still unknown. The Pine Creek Café, school and church were not burned in the fire. There have been a few minor injuries to the public and firefighters, but no firefighters have been killed.

The U.S. Postal service is not able to deliver mail due to the fire and area closures.