STURGIS, S.D. – Fire crews knocked down a grass fire Wednesday afternoon sparked by haying equipment.
Great Plains Fire Dispatch says the Elk Creek Fire was reported just after 1:30 in area 12 miles northeast of Rapid City.
The fire charred 828 acres of grass and some hay bales also burned. The fire was being pushed by wind in dry fuels.
Crews were working on mop up stages last evening, as some pockets of flame and smoke could still be seen.
Fire officials say structures were threatened but that threat has been mitigated.
At its height, smoke could be seen from the fire from a wide area.
Meanwhile, crews in Oglala Lakota County continued working the Casino Fire Wednesday.
The Fairburn Volunteer Fire Department is one of the agencies that have been helping fight the fire.
One volunteer firefighter with the department posted on Twitter saying the fire appears to be more manageable this morning, crediting yesterday’s hard work from ground crews and air tankers.
The fire is located southeast of the Prairie Wind Casino.
Those evacuated yesterday due to the fire were allowed back in to their homes today.
