North Pole Fire

Incident #1  -- Named the North Pole Fire
(Initial update provided at 4:28 PM on March 10, 2015)

• The North Pole Fire is located in the area of Highway 16 and Renegade Road west of Custer
• Local, state, and federal resources are responding
• Estimated size is 5 acres
• There is the possibility of structures threatened 

Dispatch is collecting initial size up information.  Updated information will be posted as received.

5:08 PM Update

• US Forest Service, South Dakota Wildland Fire, and local VFD engines are en route.  USFS Dozer is en route. The South Dakota Wildland Fire Division Black Hat and Bear Mountain Hand Crews are en route.  SD DOC crews are in process of mobilization as well.
• A fire investigator has been ordered and is en route
• Jurisdiction remains unknown

5:43 PM Update

• North Pole Road has been CLOSED from Highway 16 to Renegade Road
• Firefighters will continue to work the incident tonight and throughout tomorrow until the incident is contained

8:31 PM Update

• Estimated size is now at 60 acres
• Firefighters and Great Plains Dispatch will continue to staff this incident tonight and tomorrow (personnel will continue to evaluate and provide for the incident needs)
• Resources are being planned and ordered for the next operational period tomorrow
• No ownership has been determined at this time although the fire has burned both private property and US Forest Service land
• This fire is burning in Fuel Type 2 (Herbaceous fuels) and Fuel Type 8 (slower burning heavy fuels)
• An Incident Command Post has been established in Custer on this Type 3 incident

March 11, 2015

5:30 AM Update

• Size is 59.3 acres
• Multiple agency engines along with state hand crews monitored the fire overnight
• No known significant changes to report from the overnight shift
• No injuries to report at this time
• Firefighters were ordered for the next operational period; They will receive a briefing later this morning and will continue fire suppression efforts

8:30 AM Update

• Daytime Operational resources are now assigned, the night shift has been released
• The fire held well last evening on the road system, dozer line, and hand line
• State and federal resources along with the Custer Volunteer Fire Department water tender are the current resources assigned
• No percentage containment at this time
• Smoke is a concern in the area.  Motorists are encouraged to reduce speed but NOT stop along the highway and impede traffic.  
• State and federal fire investigators continue to work on determining cause

10:00 AM Update

• For more information on the North Pole Fire, visit: North Pole Fire information: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4145/ 
• New North Pole Fire Info #: 605-340-0709

12 Noon Update

• North Pole News Release: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4145/24862/

4:15 PM Update

• North Pole News Release: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4145/24864/

March 12, 2015

9:30 AM Update

• Final North Pole News Release: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4145/24866/

6:00 PM Update

• The North Pole fire is 100% contained. This will be the last North Pole fire update unless something significant occurs.

March 16, 2015

3:oo PM Update

• The North Pole fire is 100% controlled. 

Fire Report March 9, 2015

Vanocker Pit Fire

• Located in the Vanocker Canyon area
• Size is estimated at .2 acres
• US Forest Service has responded
• Fire Cause is under investigation

Incident #2

• Located near Runkle Road in the Vanocker Canyon area
• SD Wildland Fire is investigating and will size up
• This incident has been deemed a false alarm

Updated information will be posted as it is received.

March 7, 2015 Fire Report

Limestone Road Fire

• Located north west of Custer on the Custer Limestone Road 
• Size is estimated at 4.9 acres
• Burning in grass and downed slash
• Resources have responded to include the local and federal resources

Harper Road Fire

• Located north of Custer
• Size is estimated at 3 acres
• Resources have responded to include local and state resources

Blue Wing Fire - February 19, 2015

• Located in the Calumet Point area off of Sheridan Lake
• Size is estimated at 1/4 acre
• Hill City VFD and the U. S. Forest Service Hill City resources are responding
• A Fire Investigator has been ordered to determine cause

Skyline Fire - West of Hermosa

• Located west of Hermosa near Highway 40 off of Skyline Heights Road
• Size is now estimated at 4.6 acres
• Resources responded include the Hermosa VFD, Hayward VFD, Rapid Valley VFD, Keystone VFD, the South Dakota Wildland Fire Rapid City Battalion Chief with Engine 668, and the state Black Hat Hand Crew
• Burning in grass and timber
• A Fire Investigator has determined that the fire was caused by discarded fireplace/stove ashes
• This fire has been called contained

For tips on safely discarding fireplace and stove ashes, please visit:   http://wildfire.blog.nfpa.org/2011/12/12-days-of-firewise-dispose-of-fireplace-ashes-properly.html  

Aero Road Wildfire

The Aero Road Fire located near Rockerville in the area of Neck Yoke Road and Aero Road was called controlled on Monday afternoon and reached a size of 16.02 acres.  The update in acreage is due to more accurate mapping abilities, not additional fire growth. 

Fire investigators have determined the cause to be discarded stove/fireplace ashes. One single family residential structure sustained serious fire damage to the exterior and interior portions of the house from the wildfire. 

There were no reported injuries and no evacuations have occurred. 

This fire is currently in patrol status and firefighters will continue to monitor for smoke. Residents may expect to see smoke in the area for the next several days. Residents and visitors are urged to refrain from taking any action in extinguishing small smoke plumes. You should notify local authorities with any concerns.  

Fire Report for January 26, 2015

Greyhound Fire

• Located on private land in the Greyhound Gulch area
• 2.5 acres
• Local, state, and federal resources responded
• Observed Fire Behavior – Active fire was observed with 1-2 foot flame lengths at the head of the fire, Fire was on a south aspect upper 1/3 of the slope. Two spot fires occurred due to heavy dead and down materials and wind gust in the 15-20 mph.
• Cause is under investigation
• Mop up efforts continue by local and state firefighters on Tuesday, January 27

Bear Mountain Hand Crew Member from SD Wildland Fire on the Greyhound Gulch Fire.

385 South Fire

• Located on private land
• .2 acre
• Local, state, and federal resources responded
• Caused by human activity
• This fire is considered contained and controlled