Public Information Officer: Amanda Medaries
(318)557-2559
amanda.medaries@usda.gov
Update on the Bennett Wildfire
(EDGEMONT, SD) August 18, 2024 — Fire personnel continued holding the fire within the burned area all
last night and into this morning. Today’s plan of action was to continue securing
the line and begin mopping up some areas of the fire, all while keeping
firefighter and public safety at the forefront. Air tankers and aerial support are
still being utilized to support firefighters.
As of 8:00 am this morning, there are still
currently 130 fire personnel from across the region, including those from
throughout South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Multiple
agencies and volunteer fire departments are supporting the effort to suppress
the fire.
Significant progress is being made and fire personnel were able to create a more accurate map that calculated the fire at 367 acres on the Black Hills National Forest with 35% of the fire boundary.
