Tuesday, September 19, 2017

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)

Thursday, September 14, 2017

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                                    

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


###

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

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
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:
Info Line: (605) 574-1725


Rankin Fire Update

September 15, 2017 – 10:00 am

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black
Shane Greer, Incident Commander
Information Center: (605) 574-1725
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:
Info Line: (605) 574-1725

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

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
  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)




Tuesday, September 12, 2017

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

Monday, September 11, 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

Sunday, September 10, 2017

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

Saturday, September 9, 2017

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

Monday, September 4, 2017

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

Sunday, September 3, 2017

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.