Forest Service News Release
Media Contact: Great Plains Fire Information: (605) 923-8868
Edgemont, SD, August 16, 2024 — Federal, State and local
resources are working to contain the
Bennett Fire.
Fire resources were dispatched to a smoke
report approximately 8 miles southeast of
Dewey, SD, or about 8 miles northwest of Edgemont, SD, in Fall River County.
The fire started August 15, 2024, around
1:00 p.m. Due to dry fuels, the containment effort has been direct attack,
where feasible, using safe and appropriate tactics. A Type III Incident
Management team, led by Forest Service Incident Commander, Josh Morgan was
called in to manage the fire.
As of today, Friday August 16, the Bennett
Fire is estimated at 330 acres in size, burning on the Black Hills National
Forest.
The fire is currently not contained, and the
cause is lightning. No road closure and no evacuations have been issued.
Smoke is visible from highway 89 and highway 18.
Fire managers are strategizing fire
suppression tactics while monitoring fire behavior, the terrain, and weather
forecasts. Today’s objectives are to keep the fire west of road 319, east
of road 380 and south and east of Bennett Canyon Road. Firefighters will be
implementing a combination of direct and indirect strategies for full
suppression, while providing for firefighter and public safety.
150
firefighters are on scene with an additional 50 expected today as well as
additional fire engines, air tankers and aerial support.
Black Hills National Forest Incident Commander Josh Morgan said, "We
would like to thank the public, all agencies involved, and local support from
private landowners for efforts containing this wildfire."
Reminder: Open
fires are prohibited in the Black Hills Fire Protection District on National
Forest land in South Dakota and also Wyoming (see current
fire restriction information), except in designated recreational sites.
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Below are photos taken of the Bennett Fire.
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| (Bennett Fire Photo By Krista Landreneau, Black Hills National Forest/USDA Forest Service) |
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| (Bennett Fire Photo By Krista Landreneau, Black Hills National Forest/ USDA Forest Service) |