Red Cross opens shelter in Browning

The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Browning to help residents who are displaced because of the Spotted Eagle fire.

The shelter is located at 80 Heart Butte Road in Browning. Everyone who needs shelter from the wildfire is welcome, and services are free.

In addition, a Facebook post by the Red Cross reminds anyone who is evacuating from Heart Butte that they can register on the Red Cross Safe & Well website (redcross.org/safeandwell) to let their family and friends know they are OK. You can also call 1-866-GET-INFO to register. Friends and families of evacuees can search the website to get news about their loved ones.

Members of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council on Friday issued an emergency declaration to some residents to evacuate as a result of a fire that crossed over the reservation boundary.

The order, signed by Iliff “Scott” Kipp Sr., the acting chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, was issued to residents in the fire area of the Family Peak Complex and the Spotted Eagle Fire, tribal officials said.

The council ordered immediate evacuation of all residents in the fire area, including the community of Heart Butte and all residents from Heart Butte to Palookaville Road.

The Red Cross continues to operate a shelter in West Glacier for the evacuees of the Thompson-Divide Complex Fire. The Blackfeet Tribe and the Red Cross are jointly operating a shelter in Browning for the evacuees of the Spotted Eagle Fire. The Tribe has also opened a special facility in Browning for tribal elders and those with special health needs.

On Saturday, the Red Cross of Montana said it opened a shelter in Libby for the evacuees of the Goat Rock Complex Fire. The shelter is at the Assembly of God Church at 105 Collins Ave..

The Red Cross continues to monitor other wildfires across Montana and has prepositioned supplies and placed disaster responders on standby in several locations.

To help the people affected by disasters like the wildfires, you can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

In Montana, visit www.redcross.org/montana or call 1-800-ARC-MONT (1-800-272-6668). Contributions may also be sent to American Red Cross of Montana, 1300 28th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.

Preparing an Emergency Evacuation Kit

According to the American Red Cross, one of the most important things to do before an evacuation is to pre-assemble an emergency kit.

At a minimum, your kit should contain these basic supplies:

•Water: one gallon per person, per day;

•Food: nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items;

•Flashlight;

•Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible);

•Extra batteries;

•First-aid kit, medications (seven-day supply) and medical items;

•Multipurpose tool;

•Sanitation and personal hygiene items;

•Cellphone with chargers;

•Family and emergency contact information;

•Extra cash; emergency blanket;

•Map(s) of the area;

•Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).

For a detailed list of additional items to include, go to www.redcross.org/prepare.