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A fire discovered on the Crow Agency this morning has spread to 40,000 acres. The lightning-caused East Sarpy Fire was reported around 7 a.m., and by 1 p.m. air tankers, two helicopters and at least seven engines were at the fire, with more help on the way.

Firefighters blame lightning for six other fires that sparked Tuesday evening in the Sarpy Hills, according to a news release from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The area isn't heavily populated, but includes ranches and the Westmoreland Sarpy Creek coal mine. The active fires are burning grassland and some Ponderosa pine hills, all at least 10 miles northeast of Crow Agency, the release states.

Other fires include:

The West Tullock Creek fire jumped grader firelines twice this morning and has expanded to perhaps 1500 acres. Engines moved into burned areas to avoid the flaming front of the fire. A helicopter is working this fire.

The South Tullock Creek fire is held at 169 acres with 4 engines and a squad of firefighters. The Little Dry Creek fire is holding at 200 acres, the Castle Rock II fire is holding at 500 acres with 3 engines, and the Dawes fire is holding at 30 acres with three helitack, 1 engine, and a grader.
One engine spent the night containing the 30 acre Cottonwood Creek fire west of Two Leggins.

Crow Agency's resources continue to respond to new fires to try to keep them small.