BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Firefighters in western North Dakota say they're halfway to containing two large wildfires. As of Wednesday, the Elkhorn fire near Grassy Butte is 50% contained, and has burned over 22,000 acres. The Bear Den fire, meanwhile, is now 45% contained and has burned almost 12,000 acres on the Fort Berthold Reservation. This week, two CL-215 scooper planes from Bozeman, Montana flew in to assist in the Bear Den fire. The North Dakota Forest Service, along with the North Dakota National Guard, are partnering to help contain the fire near Mandaree. ND wildfire victim was about to return home to South Africa for the birth of his daughter The risk is higher on Thursday with elevated winds, but North Dakota Forest Service fire management officer Ryan Melin says that colder temperatures forecasted next week could make the job much easier. "Those cool temperatures, those higher RH's, those dewy mornings allow us to get into a lot of those areas," he states, "and do work before the intensity of the fire picks up. It also lowers, you know, we know we have a real susceptible fuel bed out there, any kind of sparks can cause a fire. But, when we have these dewy mornings, even though our fuel is dead, it keeps those potential sparks down." On the Ray-Tioga fire, as of Wednesday, Mountrail Williams Electric Cooperative is having to repair over 400 power poles that were damaged. Around 160 neighbors remain without power. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW