2006 Spotted Tail Wildfire
The Spotted Tail fire was caused by a dry lightning strike July 26, 2006 about seven miles (11 km) south of Chadron, Nebraska on the pine ridge. By July 28, the wildfire, fueled by dry grass and winds, roared toward Chadron at speeds in excess of 30 feet per second. The fire reached the edge of Chadron and the Chadron State College campus but fire crews prevented the wildfire from reaching the campus. The pine ridge escarpment south of the college, including C-Hill, was blackened as a result of the fire. Thousands of acres of natural pine trees were burned.
17,935 acres burned
3 homes destroyed
The original cache was burned and has been replaced.