MELLETTE COUNTY, S.D. – Jones County Emergency Management says the Power Dam Road Fire was being held at the White River as fire crews prepared for a long day.
Officials say the strong winds were pushing the fire northward and the fire was located in the river bottom of the White River on the south bank.
The town of Okaton right off I-90 and ranches in between the fire and Interstate were evacuated late yesterday. There has been no word on any damaged or destroyed structures, although the fire has destroyed more than 30 electric poles in a section of Mellette County.
The Cherry-Todd Electric Coop says that northwestern section of their service area lost power overnight.
The human-caused fire started Thursday afternoon in the Power Dam Road area.
Local, state, and federal firefighting units from across western South Dakota are actively working to combat the fire. In addition to firefighting crews, local farmers, ranchers, and citizens have mobilized to assist by shuttling water and creating fire lines using heavy equipment. Local transportation assets are also contributing to the containment efforts.
RELATED: https://kbhbradio.com/power-dam-road-fire-burning-in-mellette-county/
