MURDO, S.D. – A large grass fire that started near Murdo on Monday is 80-percent contained according to Great Plains Dispatch.
The Dry Creek Fire was reported around 12:30 Monday and Jones County Sheriff Rich Silva says they knew it was going to be bad.
“We had wind gusts in the 50-60mph range and we called in mutual help right away,” Silva said.
“The total fire length was right at nine-and-a-half miles, but as fore acreage, it was hard to tell because we such patchwork of burned areas. Areas that should have burned didn’t and areas that shouldn’t did.”
Great Plains Dispatch listed the fire at 9,911 acres. The final acreage measure showed that there was a half-mile section of state school land.
The fire shut down I-90 for a while Monday afternoon as fire crews worked to stop its spread.
Fire crews from 13 different central South Dakota departments responded and Silva says they were instrumental in stopping it.
“I can’t believe they got this stopped. They managed to stop this monster fire in such incredible winds. Hats off to our crews out here.”
Five engines remained on scene Tuesday mopping up and making the sure the fire stayed within containment lines.
A total of 5 structures burned.
West Central Electric had 141 member-owners lose power during the fire and strong winds. President Jeff Birkeland says all customers have since been returned to service.
Great Plains Dispatch reported Wednesday that the cause of the fire was downed power line.
