July 23, 2020

Crews Continue to Fight Black Elk Fire

Release Date: 07/23/2020
Contact: Kelsey Bean, Kelsey.bean@usda.gov , 479-719-6814

Custer, SD, Jul. 23, 2020 – Fire crews continue to fight a wildfire in the Black Elk Wilderness Area approximately ½ mile SE of Black Elk Peak. The fire was reported yesterday afternoon and is estimated to be between 3-5 acres with no sufficient growth last night. Crews are constructing saw line and hand line to secure the perimeter and mitigate snag hazards. The use of helicopter bucket drops are aiding firefighting efforts along the perimeter.  As of 11:30 AM today, the fire is 25% contained.

 

Multiple resources have been ordered which include a type 3 helicopter, two type 1 helicopters, a National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter, two 20-person hand crews, five engines, and several resource advisors. 

 

For public and wildland firefighter safety, an emergency closure order has been put in place for the Black Elk Wilderness which includes the Black Elk Peak Trail #9 and several other trails in the area. (closure map) The public should not enter the area until the order has been lifted.

 

The fire is burning in heavy dead and downed timber in steep and remote terrain. Cause of the fire is a lightning strike from July 20, 2020.