PIERRE, SD – Central South Dakota firefighters are working to put out a major wind-driven grass fire north of Pierre. The fire is west of state Highway 1804 near 199th Avenue, about four miles south of the Hughes/Sully County border.
Hughes/Stanley County Emergency Manager Rob Fines says that as of 2:00pm, the fire had burned only grass and no buildings. A plume of smoke extended from the fire southeast blocking views of the Oahe Dam and down the Missouri River and drifting just east of Pierre.
Fire Departments from Fort Pierre, Onida, Murdo, Pierre and other cities are assisting the Pierre Rural Fire Department. A High Wind Warning and Red Flag Warning were both in place for Hughes County at the time.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol are asking people to stay away from Highway 1804 and the Peoria Flats area north of the Oahe Dam to allow fire crews space to work. Numerous onlookers were seen stopping on the side of the highway or many of the overlooks above Oahe to get a view of the cloud wall as it accelerated southeast.
The cause of the fire is unknown. There are also no confirmed reports of injuries or damaged structures at this time.
