A fire at the Three Lakes property adjoining Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was successfully contained on July 23. The incident, known as the Three Lakes Fire, was prevented from spreading due to a rapid response from security and sanctuary staff.
Security guard Jordan Steed spotted smoke coming from the west of the Sanctuary and reported it to Color Country Interagency, confirming the fire was located on Best Friends property. Steed provided the exact location to responding agencies and began removing fuel from the fire's path.
Sanctuary staff member Clint Brinkerhoff arrived shortly after Steed. The two men engaged the fire directly by using hand tools to cut a solid fire line.
Bureau of Land Management and state fire crews arrived on the scene to assist. Steed and Brinkerhoff directed the crews to the fire's location before disengaging as containment efforts began.
