Montana rancher assesses livestock devastation caused by wildfire

Crews continue to fight wildfires in southeastern Montana, and even though containment is nearing 100 percent, ranchers are just beginning to assess the effects. Cecil Kolka, 80, has lived at his ranch near Ashland since 1935. He's witnessed crippling fires, but none as devastating as the Ash Creek Fire, which scorched more than 200,000 acres. Kolka owns more than 800 head of cattle and half have been taken by the fire, he estimated. Scattered deep in the pastures lay dead cattle, some piled on top of other another not able to escape. For those cattle that remained on the ridges of the fire, some have become so badly burned, they aren't expect to survive. Another issue facing owners is the lack of adequate food and water for remaining cattle. More than 8,500 cattle are considered to be affected...more