500-acre blaze claims old school house

Crook County's firefighters tackled a 509-acre fire last week near Oshoto, which destroyed an old school house.

The Bertha Hill fire on August 14 was caused by lightning and was first reported by local ranchers. It was located off Dead Man Road in grass and brush and required a sizeable response to bring under control.

According to Fire Warden Charlie Harrison, county units that responded included 16 engines, two water tenders, two blades from Road & Bridge and the county's fire dozer, three air tankers and an air attack. The ranchers who reported the fire also provided assistance.

"The only building that was destroyed was the remains of the old one-room Svalina school house last used in 1951, which had been severely damage in the windstorm in July of 2023," says Harrison.

The fire was contained by around 8 p.m. the same evening.