12-29-17 Pile Burning

• U.S. Forest Service Mystic fire will be burning large piles created by machines today, approximately 2 miles west of Hill City, SD off of Battle Axe Road. Piles are made of woody debris (slash) and are burned in an effort to reduce hazardous fuels. These piles are made from the slash left after mechanical thinning or cutting of trees in the forest.

12-28-2017 Pile Burning

• Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, Pine Ridge Ranger District will be burning piles today south of Chadron, NE near Kings Canyon.
• Hell Canyon fire on the Black Hills National Forest will be burning around 100 piles today 5 miles west of Custer, SD.

12-27-17 Pile Burning

• Black Hills National Forest Hell Canyon fire will be burning approximately 126 piles today near Red Bank Spring.

Legion Lake Fire Update

Saturday, Dec. 16, 9:00 a.m.

CUSTER STATE PARK – Containment lines and moderate fire behavior allowed firefighters to continue mop up and patrol efforts on Friday night around all areas of the fire. Due to more accurate mapping by ground crews, the acreage did increase to 54,023, while containment holds at 80 percent for Saturday. Fire managers will re-evaluate containment this afternoon, but it is expected to increase.
Snow is in the forecast for today, which is expected to accumulate in the higher elevations of the fire area and will add additional support for fire containment.
Friday, some interior timber stands were burned, so smoke was very visible. Those areas were well within the fire perimeter and are not expected to produce as much smoke today, as most of the fine fuels were consumed.
Rocky Mountain Team Blue will officially transfer command at 6:00 p.m. this evening to a type three organization. Additional resources continue to be demobilized.
Custer State Park and all interior roads within the park remain closed.
All areas of Wind Cave National Park with the exception of Highway 385, Highway 87, Beaver Creek Road, associated turnouts and the immediate area around the visitor center are closed to all public entry.
Fire Desk information and updates can be provided by emailing LegionLakeFire@gmail.com or by calling 605-646-3263.

Fire Information Desk: 605-646-3263
LegionLakeFire@gmail.com
Social Media: @CusterStatePark
Facebook.com/CusterStatePark

Thursday December 14

Legion Lake Fire Update

• Size: 47,312 acres
• Containment: 10%
• Resources: Local, State, and Federal
• Evacuations in Effect
• Legion Lake Fire Information: (605)-646-3263/email: LegionLakeFire@gmail.com
• More information is posted at: http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/p/large-incident.html
• Social Media: 
• @CusterStatePark
• Facebook.com/CusterStatePark

Wednesday December 13

Legion Lake Fire Update

• Size: 35,000 acres
• Containment: 7%
• Resources: Local, State, and Federal
• Evacuations in Effect
• Legion Lake Fire Information: (605)-646-3263/email: LegionLakeFire@gmail.com
• More information is posted at: http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/p/large-incident.html
• Social Media: 
• @CusterStatePark
• Facebook.com/CusterStatePark

Tuesday, December 12

Legion Lake Fire UPDATE

• Size: 4,000 Acres
• Resources: Local, State, and Federal
• Road Closures: Still in effect
• Type 2 Incident Management Team  now managing incident
• Containment: 0%
• Priority: Structure Protection 
• For information the Legion Lake Fire call (605)-646-3263 Direct

Update Monday December 11, 2017

Legion Lake Fire

• Location: Near Legion Lake Lodge, Custer State Park
• Size: 2,500 Acres
• Resources: State and Federal
• Cause: Human
• Road Closures: Near Devil's Triangle, including portions of Highways 16A and 87
• Type 2 Incident Management Team Ordered
• For information the Legion Lake Fire call (605)-646-3263 Direct

Bug Fire

• Location: 6 Miles North Custer, SD
• Size: 12.5 Acres 
• Resources: State and Federal
• Cause: Human

12-7-17 Pile Burning

• South Dakota Wildland Fire handcrews will be burning approximately 600-700 piles on 40 acres today in the High County Project which is located off of Nemo Road.  Crews are igniting today, tending the piles on Friday, and a squad will tend and patrol the piles on Saturday.  

12-6-17 Pile Burning

• Black Hills National Forest Hell Canyon fire will be burning piles today in the Red Bank Spring area as conditions permit.
• The South Dakota State Black Hat Handcrew is assisting the Bureau of Land Management today with slash pile burning in the Englewood Subdivision, south of Lead.  Approximately 100 piles are planned to be burned.
• Black Hills National Forest Mystic fire will be burning piles tomorrow, 12/7/17, near Deerfield lake. 

12/5 - 12/6/17 - Pile Burning

• Black Hills National Forest Hell Canyon fire is burning piles south of the O’Neil Pass area today.

• Starting tomorrow, 12/6/17, Black Hills National Forest Bearlodge fire will be burning piles near Cook Lake Campground and off of Fawn Creek Road, approximately 13 miles North of Sundance, WY.

Burning operations will continue across the Forest throughout the winter as conditions permit.

12-4-17 Pile Burning

The Northern Hills Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is burning hand and machine slash piles starting today and continuing through the week, as conditions permit.

Piles will be burned approximately 2.5 miles south of Hanna. Smoke will be visible from North Rochford Rd., Hanna Rd. and Hwy 85 NE of Cheyenne Crossing.

Piles will also be burned near the Spearfish Forest Service Work Center.

Piles are created from timber sale slash, tree thinning operations and are burned to reduce hazardous fuels.

Firefighters will continually monitor and check the piles for several days after they have been lit.

Monday December 4, 2017

Twin Springs Fire

• Size: 0.5 Acre
• Location: 3 Miles East of Hill City 
• Resources: Federal and Local 
• Cause: Powerline 

Silver Mountain Prescribed Fire Project to Continue West of Rapid City, SD

11/30/17 Silver Mountain RX pics

Rapid City, South Dakota, Nov. 29, 2017 – The Mystic Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to continue ignition on the Silver Mountain project Thursday, Nov. 30 and Friday, Dec. 1, depending on weather.

One hundred and 8 acres were successfully ignited Oct. 31, 2017. Fire managers plan to burn an additional 389 acres Thursday through Friday.

The project area is located near Rockerville, South Dakota, west of Boulder Hill and east of Beretta Road. Ignition will begin late morning and last throughout the day. A night shift will patrol following ignitions.

Smoke will be visible for several miles and could impact Highway 16, Hill City, Rapid City and other surrounding areas.

For every prescribed burn, specialists write burn plans. Burn plans identify, or prescribe, the best conditions under which trees and other plants will burn to get the best results safely. Burn plans consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke.

Implementation is also supported by a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document. Specialists such as: hydrologists, archaeologists, wildlife biologists, among others, are involved with this process that requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions.

With all of the planning that goes into a prescribed fire project, managers will not ignite a project unless the conditions meet the criteria described in the burn plan. “We spend years planning,” said Wayne Yanders, Black Hills National Forest firefighter. “If we are out of prescription, we will cancel the burn and wait for a better day.”

The right fire, at the right place, at the right time can reduce hazardous fuels, protect communities from extreme fires; minimize the spread of pest insects; remove unwanted species that threaten species native to an ecosystem; provide forage for game; improve habitat for species; recycle nutrients back to the soil; and promote the growth of trees, wildflowers and other plants.

As conditions permit, fire officials will continue to assess ignition of other prescribed burn units across the Black Hills National Forest.

For more information on Black Hills National Forest prescribed fire, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=STELPRDB5112694

-USDA-

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

November 22, 2017

Dry Creek CA (1:58 pm)

• Located 7 miles south of Hermosa
• Size: 291.1 acres
• Federal, State and local resources responded
• Human caused

November 18, 2017

Stagecoach (3:18 pm)

• Located on Stagecoach Springs Road in Custer
• Size: 10 acres 17 acres
• Human Caused 
• State and local resources responded

November 16, 2017

Slicker (1:30 pm)

• Located 5 miles south of Chadron
• Human caused
• Federal and local resources responded
• Size: 30 acres

November 15, 2017

Reservoir Road CA (12:31 pm)

• Located at 104 N Reservoir Road in Rapid Valley
• State resources on scene
• Size: 10 acres
• Human caused

Rattler (12:34 pm)

• Located approximately 1.5 miles south/southeast of Cement Ridge
• Abandoned campfire
• .10 acres
• Contained at  12:40 pm and controlled at 1:00 pm

Black Gap (2:42 pm)

• Located in Pennington County, approximately 7-8 miles s of Rapid City, Hwy 79
• Human caused
• 2.2 acres
• Controlled

Video credit: Taft Tubbs

11-7-17 Pile Burning

Bearlodge fire on the Black Hills National Forest is burning handpiles today at the top end of Rattlesnake Canyon, about 2 miles South of Cement Ridge Lookout, WY.

11-6-17 Pile Burning

Black Hills National Forest Hell Canyon fire will be burning piles today in the Red Bank Springs area if conditions warrant.

11-2-17 Pile Burning

Mystic fire on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to burn hand piles today adjacent to Highway 16 & Hardesty Road. Ignitions may continue tomorrow, 11/3, if conditions are favorable. Smoke will be visible along Highway 16 for several days. Patrols are planned through the weekend and signs have been placed along the highway.

Prescribed Fire at Stockade Lake

South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Wildland Fire Division and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks have started ignitions on a prescribed burn at Stockade Lake.

Firefighters are planning on burning approximately five acres. This project is located on the west side of Stockade Lake near the beach and boat ramp area in Custer State Park.

The objectives of the burn are to reduce the hazardous buildup of debris and dead vegetation, which can fuel wildfires, and remove the dead layer of reeds to stimulate new growth.  Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure prescribed fire conditions align with management objectives for the burn.

Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas and can linger for several days after ignition has been completed. Fire crews will secure, patrol and monitor fire lines as appropriate for public and firefighter safety. For more information on smoke management visit:  http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/p/smoke-management.html. 

Silver Mountain Prescribed Fire Planned West of Rapid City, SD

Check out Silver Mountain Prescribed Fire Photos at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/blackhillsnf/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1879411548986106

Silver Mountain Prescribed Fire Planned West of Rapid City, SD

Rapid City, SD, October 30, 2017 – The Mystic Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to ignite 108 acres on the Silver Mountain project Tuesday, October 31, depending on weather. Smoke will be visible for several miles and could impact Highway 16, Hill City, Rapid City and other surrounding areas. Crews have been preparing to implement the project to meet management objectives for several years.

The Silver Mountain project area is located approximately 10 miles west/southwest of Rapid City, SD between Highway 16 and Sheridan Lake Road, along Boulder Hill Road to the west.

The goal of the Silver Mountain Prescribed Fire is to maintain a mosaic of vegetation conditions created by the Battle Creek Fire of 2002. This project will lessen the severity and extent of future wildfires in the project area by breaking up the continuity of dead, downed fuels, ultimately reducing those fuel loads. Fire will also be utilized as a tool to thin pine regeneration and increase canopy base heights. Additionally, this burn will stimulate browse for big game species.

After many years of fire exclusion, an ecosystem, such as the Black Hills, needs periodic fire to remain healthy. Without it, trees are stressed by overcrowding, fire-dependent species disappear, and flammable fuels build up and become hazardous.

Forest visitors, including hunters, are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed burning operations in the months ahead. Areas where burning operations are taking place will be signed to notify visitors. The public is also encouraged to contact a nearby Forest Service office with questions.

As conditions permit, fire officials will continue to assess ignition of other prescribed burn units across the Black Hills National Forest.

For more information on Black Hills National Forest prescribed fire, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=STELPRDB5112694

-USDA-

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

10/30/17 - NOTE: Bearlodge Fire is planning to burn hand piles in the Cook Lake campground area today and continuing through the week, depending on weather and snow cover. It is part of a multi-year fuel treatment at the administrative site.

October 24, 2017

Oak Meadows Wildfire

Reported:  12:15 pm, Oct 24, 2017
Location:  Play House road and Hwy 40 (2 miles northeast of Lakota Lake)
Size:  .35 acres
Cause:  Unknown
Resources:  Federal, State and local

Hand Piles burning Oct 2,2017

Black Hills National Forest Central Zone Fire is planning to ignite hand piles in the Tigerville area, Hound Dog unit 1, on Monday, October 2, weather permitting. 

This project is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.

Smoke may be visible from Tigerville, Hill City, along Deerfield Road and the surrounding area. Firefighters will remain on scene monitoring the piles for as long as needed.

Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure conditions align with management objectives.

September 19, 2017

Mile Marker 121 Fire

• Reported: 10:19 AM, September 19, 2017
• Location: Pennington Co, South Dakota - mile marker 121 on Hwy I-90 near Wall
• Size: 0.10 acres
• Cause: human
• Federal and local resources responded
• 100% controlled (10:52 AM)

September 14, 2017

Red Fern Wildfire

UPDATED: September 18th, 2017
 

• Reported: 3:26 PM, September 14, 2017
• Location: Dawes Co, Neb, approx 8 mi east of Chadron
• Size: 60 acres
• Cause: unknown lightning
• Federal resources are responding, along with 1 SEAT airplane
• 100% contained

Beaver Wildfire

Beaver Fire Update: Sept 18, 2017

All roads are open and evacuations lifted. 
Containment is 90% 100% (September 18, 2017 @ 2:32PM)

Beaver Fire Update: Sept 17, 2017

Crews continue with mop up. Rain and cooler temperatures the past few days have greatly aided the firefighting efforts. Containment is now at 80-90%. 

Great Plains Fire Information

Fire Information (605)923-8868                                    

Email: greatplainsfireinfo@gmail.com

Blog: http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/

September 14, 2017

2:00 pm

Beaver Wildfire

Current Situation: The Beaver wildfire, located in Custer County, 11 miles southeast of Custer was reported on Sept 13, at approximately 2:00 pm. Federal, State and Local resources responded and are still on scene. Air resources were also being used on the fire. The fire is estimated at 400 acres.

No structures have been lost, but 10 structures are threatened, with an additional 20 structures within a mile of the fire. An indirect dozer line was constructed around the fire last night. Crews are now working to burn out unburned islands between the fire and the dozer line.

Weather: Cooler temperatures and precipitation is forecasted for the next several days. This weather pattern will help crews as they continue to suppress the fire.

Evacuations: Evacuations and road closures are in place. Custer County Emergency Management is handling all evacuations and road closures.

Safety: Road closures on County Road 391 to Hwy. 385 to Hwy. 87. Smoke will continue to be visible in the area for the next several days. The public is asked to avoid traveling on roads in the vicinity of the fire for their own safety and the safety of firefighters.

Fire Statistics:

Start Date: September 13, 2017

Location: Custer County, 4 miles east of Pringle or 11 miles southeast of Custer

Size: Estimated at 400 acres

Resources: Federal, State and Local

Cause: Under investigation

###

September 13, 2017

UPDATED 8:40 AM, September 15, 2017

Dry Creek Wildfire

• Reported: 2:24 PM
• Location: Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park 
• Size: 0.44 acres
• Cause: lightning
• Federal, State, and local resources are responding
• Contained and controlled at 9:50 AM, Sept. 14, 2017

Wildcat Wildcat

• Reported: 1:38 PM
• Location: South of Hanna Campground, south west of Lead, SD
• Size: 0.2
• Cause: lightning
• Federal and State resources are responding
• Controlled at 5:45 PM

Beaver Wildfire

• Reported: 1:58 PM
• Location: west of Rankin Wildfire
• Size: 400 acres
• Cause: lightning 
• Federal, State, and local resources are responding
• Road closures on County Road 391 to Hwy. 385 to Hwy. 87
• 60% containment at 10:00 AM, September 15, 2017

Rankin Wildfire

Rankin Fire Update

September 16, 2017 – 8:30 am

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black

Shane Greer, Incident Commander 

Information Center: (605) 574-1725

Email: RankinFireInfo@gmail.com

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Note: This will be the final update for the Rankin Fire from Rocky Mountain Team Black. At 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, command of the fire has transitioned back to Wind Cave National Park. Information will continue to be posted on InciWeb (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5613) and Wind Cave National Park’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WindCaveNPS/) as conditions change. 

Current Situation: The Rankin Fire is now 100 percent contained. There has been no growth of the fire for two days, and the size remains 2,133 acres. The fire area received 0.3” of rain on Friday. The completion of burnout operations coupled with the expected weather change have reduced the fire’s threat potential. 

Weather:  A much cooler air mass will push over the fire area Friday night and Saturday with scattered showers tapering off. 

Closures: All trails north of and including Wind Cave Canyon Trail remain closed.

Fire Statistics:

Start Date: 09/11/2017

Location: 12 miles Southeast of Custer, SD

Cause: Lightning 

Size: 2,133 acres

Containment:100%

For More Information:

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5613 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindCaveNPS/  

Info Line: (605) 574-1725

Email: RankinFireInfo@gmail.com 

Rankin Fire Update

September 15, 2017 – 10:00 am

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black

Shane Greer, Incident Commander

Information Center: (605) 574-1725

Email: RankinFireInfo@gmail.com

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Current Situation: Fire crews continue to make good progress on containment of the Rankin Fire and the fire is now 90% contained. There was no new growth of the fire yesterday however the acreage did increase to 2,133 acres due to better mapping. On Friday, crews will continue to improve containment lines and mop up the few remaining hot spots. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal due to the cooler temperatures and rain.

As fire containment objectives are met, firefighting resources are being released and made available for other fires.

Weather: Temperatures will be cooler with a highs around 62-64 degrees. Light rain is expected to continue until noon with showers becoming more scattered in the afternoon. Winds will be north to northeast at 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 22 mph.

Safety: Travelers along US Highway 385 and State Route 87 through the park are encouraged to use caution as fire traffic will continue to be heavy along this corridor at times.

Closures: All trails north of and including Wind Cave Canyon Trail are closed for firefighter and visitor safety. NPS 5 is now open.

Fire Statistics:

Start Date: 09/11/2017

Location: 12 miles Southeast of Custer, SD

Cause: Lightning

Size: 2,133 acres

Containment: 90%

Personnel: 202

For More Information:

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5613

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindCaveNPS/

Info Line: (605) 574-1725

Email: rankinfireinfo@gmail.com

Rankin Fire Update 09/14/2017

September 14, 2017 -- 4:00 pm

All fire information updates for the Rankin Fire will now be posted only on InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5613/# and Wind Cave National Park's FaceBook site https://www.facebook.com/WindCaveNPS

Rankin Fire Update 09/14/2017

September 14, 2017 – 12:00 pm

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black

Shane Greer, Incident Commander

Information Center:   (605) 574-1725

Email: RankinFireInfo@gmail.com

Hours of Operation:     8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Current Situation: At 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black assumed command of the Rankin Fire from a local Type 3 management team. The fire was first reported on Monday afternoon and was caused by a lightning strike in the northern part of Wind Cave National Park. Firefighters from multiple agencies have been working to contain the fire since Tuesday. On Wednesday night, crews were able to construct fire line and conduct a firing operation to get containment on the south portion of the fire. 

On Thursday, crews will be patrolling the established containment lines and mopping up hot spots. 

Weather: On Thursday, the temperature is again expected to be around 80 degrees with relative humidity around 20 to 25 percent. Winds will be north to northeast 5 to 8 for most of the day. Cloud cover will increase through the day and scattered thunderstorms may develop in the afternoon.  Wetting rains are expected over the fire late Thursday into Friday.

Safety: Travelers along US Highway 385 and State Route 87 through the park are encouraged to use caution as fire traffic will continue to be heavy along this corridor at times. At times smoke will impact roads in the park and visitors are urged to slow down and use caution.

Closures: NPS 5, from the junction of State Route 87 to the junction of NPS 6, and all trails north of and including Wind Cave Canyon Trail are closed for firefighter and visitor safety.

Fire Statistics:

Start Date:          09/11/2017

Location:            12 miles Southeast of Custer, SD              

Cause:                Lightning

Size:                   1192 acres          

Containment:      90%

                             

For More Information:

InciWeb:                  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5613

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/WindCaveNPS/  

  Info Line:           (605) 574-1725

Email:                  rankinfireinfo@gmail.com

Wind Cave National Park News Release

Release Date:        

September 13, 2017

Contact:                  Tom Farrell, tom_farrell@nps.gov, 605-745-1130

Crews Continue Efforts to Suppress Fire Burning in Wind Cave National Park

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SD – Firefighters continued their efforts to contain a 1,000 acre fire burning in the interior of Wind Cave National Park. The fire started in the northern region of the park and has been burning to the south, into the park, since it was first reported Monday afternoon. The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain east of Highway 87 and south of road NPS 5.  

Crews Wednesday worked on line construction to meet containment objectives on the east and west boundaries of the fire.  At this time, there is 0% contained. Ground crews were aided with water drops from two heavy air tankers and a South Dakota Air National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.

Due to the increased complexity of the fire, a Type II incident management team is scheduled to assume management of the fire Thursday morning. This team is bringing logistical support, overhead resources, and additional hand crews.

Federal, state, and local crews assigned to the fire are from the National Park Service, Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire, Custer State Park, Nebraska National Forest, South Dakota Department of Corrections, Wyoming Department of Corrections, Boxelder Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, South Dakota National Guard, the Custer Ambulance Service, and various volunteer fire departments.

Currently the only closures are the northern segment of NPS 5 and all backcountry hiking trails north of Wind Cave Canyon. The park visitor center remains open with cave tours leaving from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the day.

Photo Caption: Crews working the Rankin Fire were aided by water drops from a South Dakota National Guard Black Hawk helicopter. (NPS Photo)

Wind Cave National Park News Release

Release Date: September 12, 2017

Contact:                  Tom Farrell, tom_farrell@nps.gov, 605-745-1130

Lightning Caused Fire Burning in Wind Cave National Park

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SD – Firefighters from multiple agencies are working to contain a lightning caused fire in the northern part of Wind Cave National Park.  The fire, first reported Monday afternoon, is burning east of Highway 87 and south of road NPS 5.

The fire is burning toward the south, in steep, rocky terrain fueled by grass and timber. A Type III incident management team is overseeing the work of approximately 85 firefighters and support staff.

Utilizing existing roads, trails, and a mow line to aid line construction and to provide for firefighter safety, crews Tuesday successfully conducted a burn-out operation. This operation increased the size of the burn from 300 acres to around 500 acres. At this time, there is no estimate of the amount contained or controlled.

“September and October are historically when we have the biggest fires in the park,” said Park Superintendent Vidal Dávila. “We encourage everyone to be extra cautious with their outdoor activities due to the hot and dry conditions we are experiencing.”

Federal, state, and local crews assigned to the fire are from the National Park Service, Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire, Custer State Park, Argyle Fire Department, Rapid City Fire Department, Nebraska National Forest, South Dakota Department of Corrections, Wyoming Department of Corrections, Boxelder Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, and the Custer Ambulance Service.

Currently the only closures are the northern segment of NPS 5 and all backcountry hiking trails north of Wind Cave Canyon. The park visitor center remains open with cave tours leaving from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the day.

Photo Caption: Crews are currently fighting the Rankin Fire in Wind Cave National Park. (NPS Photo)

September 12, 2017

UPDATED 6:00 PM, September 13, 2017


Coffee Wildfire

• Reported: 5:35 PM
• Location: Sioux County, Nebraska,  near Montrose
• Size: 750
• Cause: lightning
• Local resources, and 1 SEAT aircraft responded
• Contained and controlled

Pasture 16 Wildfire

• Reported: 5:00 PM
• Location: Sioux County, Nebraska,  22 mi NW of Crawford.
• Size: 51
• Cause: lightning
• Federal and local resources responded
• Contained

Cold Draw Wildfire

• Reported: 4:45 PM
• Location: 25 miles southwest of Wall, SD
• Size: 14.79
• Cause: lightning
• Federal and local resources responded
• Contained

#6 Wildfire

• Reported: 3:58 PM
• Location: Fall River County, 1 mile south of mile marker 70 on Hwy. 18, Slim Buttes Rd.
• Size: in mop up stages, more information to follow
• Cause: lightning
• Local resources responded

Rock Wildfire

• Reported: 3:29 PM
• Location: Dawes co, NE 6-7 mi s of Crawford, NE
• Size: 2.6 acres
• Cause: lightning
• Federal, State, and local resources responded
• Contained

East 40 Wildfire

• Reported: 3:16 PM
• Location: near Badlands National Park
• Size: 152 acres
• Cause: lightning
• Federal and State resources are responding
• Contained

Snyder Ranch Wildfire

• Reported: 3:00 PM
• Location: near weigh station on I-90, Meade County
• Size: .25
• Cause: lightning 
• Federal, State resources are responded
• Contained

Sanders Wildfire

• Reported: 8:30 am
• Location: Bald Hills area along Hwy. 385/Victoria Lake Road
• Size: 3.5 acres
• Cause: human caused
• Federal, State, and local resources responded
• Contained

Rankin Wildfire

For latest information, please call Tom Farrell, Public Information Officer, at 605-745-1130

• Reported: 1:57 pm - September 11
• Location: 1 SSW of Highland Creek Trailhead in Wind Cave National Park
• Size: Estimated 1,000 acres
• Cause: Lightning 
• Federal, State, and local resources are on scene, including air attack
• 0% containment at this time
• Crews worked throughout the night burning out the southern portion of the fire (up to NPS 5 Road and the intersection with Hwy. 87). Incident commander is concerned about the current south winds and crews are working now to secure the northern portions or the fire. 

Blackhawk Wildfire

• Reported: 5:52 pm - September 11
• Location: Crook County, WY - Near Cook Lake 
• Size: 8.3 acres 
• Cause: Human Equipment 
• Federal, State, and local resources are on scene and in mop-up 
• 100% containment reached at 4:30 PM, September 13, 2017

September 11, 2017

Updated at 9:00 PM

Rankin

• Reported: 1:57 pm - September 11
• Location: 1 SSW of Highland Creek Trailhead in Wind Cave National Park
• Size: Estimated 20-30 acres
• Cause: Lightning 
• Resources are on scene, additional resources ordered.

Blackhawk

• Reported: 5:52 pm - September 11
• Location: Crook County, WY - Near Cook Lake 
• Size: Estimated 5 acres 
• Cause: Human Equipment 
• Resources are on scene

Italy

• Reported: 2:45 pm - September 11
• Location: W of Custer, SD
• Size .25 acre
• Cause: Unknown
• Contained

Wilcox

• Reported: 5:30 am - September 11
• Location: 7 miles SE of Oelrichs, SD
• Size: 65 acres
• Cause: Lightning
• Contained

Sep 10, 2017

Camp 3 Wildfire: 

Reported: 7:36 pm (Sep 9)

Location:  Halsey Forest (about 70 miles south of Valentine, NE)

Size: 1.78 acres

Resources:  Federal

Cause:  Unk

Contained

Angostura Road Wildfire - update:

Reported: 1:22pm (Sep 9)

Locatation: Maverick Junction

Size: .72 acres

Resources: Federal & State

Cause: unk
Contained

71 Wildfire - update:
Reported: 2:49 pm (Sep 8)
Location: 5 miles south of Crawford, NE
Size:  2 acres
Resources: State & local
Cause: unk
Contained

Breakneck Wildfire - update:
Reported: 4:44 pm (Sep 8)
Location: 8 miles north of Newcastle, WY (Weston Co)
Size: 7.2 acres
Resources: Federal, State & local
Cause: unk
Contained

Sep 9 Wildfires

Angostura Road wildfire 

Reported: 1:22pm

Locatation: Maverick Junction

Size: .5 Are

Resources: Federal & State

Cause: unk

Sep 8 Wildfires

71 Wildfire
Reported: 2:49 pm
Location: 5 miles south of Crawford, NE
Size:  2 acres
Resources: State & local

Breakneck Wildfire
Reported: 4:44 pm
Location: 8 miles north of Newcastle, WY (Weston Co)
Size: 7.2 acres
Resources: Federal, State & local

September 4, 2017

Sheps Canyon (11:17 am)

• Located in Sheps Canyon in Fall River County
• Size: 3 acres 13.3 acres
• State and Federal resources on scene
• Cause: abandoned campfire
• 30% contained  

September 5th update

• 100% contained as of 11:52am and 100% controlled as of 1:15pm

September 3, 2017 - Updated

Black Fox Fire

• Location: US Forest Service Black Fox Campground, 7 miles West of Rochford, SD
• Size: .1 acres
• Cause: illegal campfire
• Reported @ 7:32 p.m.
• Federal & local resources responded.
• Contained, Controlled & Out @ 8:45 p.m.
• Check local fire restrictions at http://www.blackhillsfirerestrictions.com/.

Duhamel Fire

• Location:  Meade County, 30 miles North of Wall, SD
• Size: 51 acres
• Cause: equipment
• Reported @ 1:34 p.m.
• Federal & local resources responded.
• Contained @ 3:30 p.m.

August 31, 2017 - Updated

Pasture 12 Fire

• Location: Oglala National Grasslands in Nebraska, south of Ardmore, SD
• Size: 2.1 acres
• Cause: lightning
• Reported @ 7:51 p.m.
• Federal & local resources responded.
• Contained & Controlled @ 9:00 p.m.

959 Fire

• Location: Oglala National Grasslands in Nebraska, south of Ardmore, SD
• Size: 2.5 acres
• Cause: lightning
• Reported @ 5:40 p.m.
• Federal & local resources responded.
• Contained & Controlled @ 9:00 p.m.

Woodpecker Fire-Updated @ 3.13 p.m.

• Location:  1.5 miles SW of Lakota Lake near Keystone, SD
• Size: .1 acre
• Cause: lightning
• Reported @ 8:35 a.m.
• Federal, State, & local resources responding.
• Contained @ 2:00 p.m.

Elk Run Fire - Updates

Elk Run Fire - Updated -4:00 p.m. MDT 9/2/2017

• Fire Name: Elk Run Fire
•  Cause: Lightning
•  Date of Origin: The Fire was reported @ 3:16 p.m. 8/30/2017
•  Location:  Private and US Forest Service land in Custer County-2 miles southwest of Argyle, SD
• Total personnel: Tomorrow’s resources will be approximately 15 which include 1 engine, 1 hand crew, and various overhead positions. Federal, State & local resources on scene.
• Size: approximately 225 acres. A change in acreage may occur due to more accurate GPS mapping.
• Containment: 100% 
• No further structures are threatened as the threat has been mitigated. No road closures are in effect.
• More information on this incident can be found on the Ongoing Incident tab on the blog.

August 30, 2017 - Updated

Elk Run Fire - Updated 10:07 p.m.

• Location:  Private land in Custer County, South of Argyle, SD & West of Hwy 89
• Size: approx. 400 acres
• Multiple structures threatened, 1 structure involved
• Reported @ 3:16 p.m.
• Federal, State & local resources responding
• Structure protection & air resources were ordered.
• 3 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), 1 heavy air tanker, and 1 SD National Guard Blackhawk are on-scene.
• For evacuation information, please contact Custer County Sheriff's Office at: (605) 673-8146.

Burn Fire

• Location:  Private land along Beaver Creek Road, 6 miles NE of Newcastle, WY
• Size: .1 acre
• Cause: lightning
• Reported @ 9:30 a.m.
• Federal & local resources responded
• Contained @ 10:30 a.m.

August 29, 2017 - Updated

Cowboy Gulch Fire

• Location:  1.5 miles South of Hill City, SD
• Size: .1 acre
• Cause: human
• Reported @ 1:50 p.m.
• Federal resources responded
• Contained, controlled, & out at 2:45 p.m.

Sand Creek Fire

• Location: Black Haw Gulch
• Size: 2.75 acres 
• Cause: Lightning 
• Federal resources responded
• Contained @ 12:00 p.m.,  8/28/2017

August 27, 2017

Sand Creek 3:51 PM - August 26

• Location: Black Haw Gulch
• Size: 2.7 acres 
• Cause: Lightning 
• Resources on scene 

Datum Creek (Thursday #2) 10:59 PM- August 24

• Location: N. of Crow Peak
• Size: .44 acre
• Cause: Unknown
• Controlled

August 25, 2017

Swather 3:02 PM - August 24

• Location: 2 miles SW of Cement Ridge
• Size: .20 acre
• Cause: Lightning
• Controlled

Thursday #2 10:59 PM- August 24

• Location: N. of Crow Peak
• Size: 10 acres (approximately)
• Cause: Unknown
• Resources on scene

Lytle Creek 7:50 AM - August 25

• Location: Bearlodge Ranch, Crook County, WY
• Size: .10 acre
• Cause: Lightning
• Resources on scene
• Contained

Miller Creek 8:07 AM - August 25

• Location: Miller Creek Area
• Size: .10 acre
• Cause: Lightning
• Controlled

August 24, 2017

Swather 3:02 - August 24

• Location: 2 miles SW of Cement Ridge
• Size: .20 acre
• Cause: Lightning
• Resources on scene 

August 22, 2017

Grove 1:26- August 20

• Location: 3 miles North of Haywood
• Size: 10 acres
• Cause: Lightning
• Controlled

Baler 4:20- August 19

• Location: 51N63W15
• Size: 1.59 acres
• Cause: Equipment
• Controlled

Rogers Lake 1:53 - August 18

• Location: 10 miles West of Bear Mt. Lookout
• Size: 9 acres
• Cause: Lightning
• Controlled

Putnam Dam 10:19- August 18

• Location: 20 miles south west of Custer
• Size:  3-4 acres
• Cause: Lightning
• Controlled

War Drainage 6:19 - August 17

• Location:  11 miles south of Ft Pierre
• Size: 4.6 acres
• Cause: Unknown
• Controlled

August 18, 2017

Putnam Dam Wildfire
Reported: 10:19 am  - Aug 18
Location: 20 miles south west of Custer
Size:  3-4 acres
Resources:  State, Federal.  Air attack, dozers, handcrews, engines ..
Cause: Unknown


War Drainage Wildfire
Reported:  6:19 pm - Aug 17
Location:  11 miles south of Ft Pierre
Size: 4.6 acres
Resources: Local / State / Federal
Cause: Unknown
Contained


UPDATES from Yesterday

Bouquet South Wildfire
Reported: 3:48 pm
Location: 11 miles east of Scenic, SD
Size: 5.9 acres
Resources: local / federal
Cause: lightning
Contained

Pass Creek Wildfire
Reported: 4:36 pm
Location: 10 miles SE of Elk Mountain
Size: 5-10 50 acres
Resources: state and federal
Cause: unknown
Contained