RAPID CITY, S.D. – Area fire crews were on alert today as critical fire weather conditions enveloped the area.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning today due to dry fire fuels, strong gusty winds and dry air.
South Dakota Wildland Fire was urging residents in affected areas to use additional caution to prevent starting a wildfire.
Sturgis, Rapid City, Hot Springs, Pine Ridge, Wall, Mission and Winner were all under the Red Flag Warning today.
A cold front will sweep through the region this evening, with an abrupt wind shift to the north-northwest. Accumulating snow is expected to develop behind the cold front, especially across northeast WY and the Black Hills. However, the initial wind shift will be highly problematic for any ongoing fires.
There were a handful of small fires reported today, but fire crews were quick to jump on them before they got too large.
Here is a list of fires Monday as reported by Great Plains Fire Dispatch:
February 26, 2024 – Wildfire Information
Timberwood Fire
Reported: February 26, 2024, 12:26 p.m.
Location: Meade County, 5 miles E of Piedmont, SD (private property)
Size: 13.5 acres
Resources: Federal, State, and Local
Cause: Human
Wonderland Fire
Reported: February 26, 2024, 1:11 a.m.
Location: Exit 48, I90, Summerset, SD (county property)
Size: 0.32 acres
Resources: Local
Cause: Human
Status: Out
Exit 55 Fire
Reported: February 26, 2024, 12:15 a.m.
Location: 3/4 mile N of Exit 55, I90, Black Hawk, SD (county property)
Size: 2.2 acres
Resources: Local
Cause: Human
Status: Contained on February 26, 2024, 1:45 a.m.
Piedmont Meadows Fire
Reported: February 23, 2024, 12:30 p.m.
Location: Meade County, 2 miles NW of Piedmont, SD
Size: 5 acres
Resources: Federal, State, and Local
Cause: Unknown; Investigator enroute
Status: Contained
Wind Song Fire
Reported: February 20, 2024, 3:13 p.m.
Location: 4 miles SW of Custer, SD
Size: 3.4 acres
Resources: Federal, State, and Local
Cause: Human; Investigator enroute
Status: Controlled
