Wind Cave National Park News Release
Release Date: July 28, 2024
Contact: Tom Farrell, tom_farrell@nps.gov, 605-745-1130
Crews mopping up Wind Cave’s Limestone Fire
HOT SPRINGS, SD – Crews are mopping up a 13.4-acre lightning caused fire first reported early Saturday afternoon in Wind Cave National Park. Firefighters remained on-scene throughout the night to prevent the fire from jumping control lines during a high wind event. Containment is expected by late Sunday afternoon.
Crews from Wind Cave National Park, the Black Hat Handcrew from South Dakota Wildland Fire, the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue fire department, and the Black Hawk Fire Department helped control the blaze along with two aircraft, the initial attack helicopter from the Black Hills National Forest, and a SEAT, Single Engine Airtanker, operating out of the tanker base at the Hot Springs Municipal Airport.
The fire was located approximately 2 miles northeast of the park’s visitor center. No structures were threatened, and no injuries were reported.
The fire danger remains very high, and people are reminded to be safe in their outdoor activities.
Wind Cave National Park News Release
Release Date: July 27, 2024
Crews battling 5-acre fire in Wind Cave National Park
HOT SPRINGS, SD – Crews from multiple agencies are fighting a 5-acre fire in Wind Cave National Park. The park’s engine crew spotted the fire at 12:42 p.m. Saturday, July 27. As of late afternoon, the Limestone Fire was actively burning in grass and timber on a ridgetop next to Wind Cave Canyon, approximately 2 miles northeast of the park’s visitor center.
Crews from Wind Cave National Park, the Black Hat Handcrew from South Dakota Wildland Fire, and the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue fire department are working on the fire with 5 engines and one hand crew. Two aircraft, the initial attack helicopter from the Black Hills National Forest, and a SEAT, Single Engine Airtanker, operating out of the tanker base at the Hot Springs Municipal Airport, are dropping water on the fire.
No structures are threatened. The cause of the fire is lightning from a storm the night before.
The fire danger remains very high, and people are reminded to be safe in their outdoor activities.
Photo Caption: A 5-acre fire is burning in Wind Cave National Park.
Alt Text: Map of Wind Cave National Park with a blue circle and black arrow pointing to location of the fire.
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