RAPID CITY, S.D. – Fire crews continued to work the lines of the Auburn Fire overnight north of Rapid City.
The fire, which was reported around 1:30 yesterday off Henderson Road, has burned between 500 and 750 acres of grass and timber.
Great Plains Fire Dispatch says overnight, firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions and conducted a burnout operation near Deadwood Avenue. The burnout was to assist in slowing and stopping the spread to the west and increasing containment lines.
Small burn out operations are taking place today on the west and east portions of the fire to strengthen fireline. The public should continue to expect to see smoke in the area.
A Type 1 helicopter and an Air Attack platform are doing some bucket work on the west portion of the fire. This will aid in cooling hot spots near the fire perimeter.
The fire is listed at 25% containment.
Evacuation areas remain in place this morning. They include the Marvel Mountain area and areas north and east of Deadwood Avenue, including Edgewood Estates, Pinecrest Village and Kimberly Circle.
A pre-evacuation advisory is still in effect for residents south of Elk Creek Road north of the Pennington County line, east of Erickson Ranch Road and west of Haines Avenue.
Several roads are closed in the fire area, including Peaceful Pines Road and Deadwood Avenue north of the Interstate, and Lofty Pines Road at Erickson Ranch Road.
So far, no structures have been reported as lost.
Near critical fire weather conditions are expected again today, with high temperatures and low humidity with southerly winds.
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