RAPID CITY, S.D. – Crews are working to suppress the Palmer Gulch wildfire burning approximately 3 miles southeast of Hill City, SD. The fire is estimated at 91 acres in size and is 40% percent contained. A Type-III Incident Management Team led by Jason Rodriguez, Incident Commander, took over management of the fire Sunday.
The fire broke out Saturday afternoon.
Resources currently assigned to the fire include: one National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, four single engine air tankers (SEAT), one air attack, one ten-person fire suppression module, five water tenders, seventeen engines, and twenty-two overhead from Federal, State, and Local agencies.
Observed fire behavior includes active ground fire with 4 to 6 feet flame lengths and occasional tree torching. The fire has burned the valley bottoms along Palmer Creek Road and on the above timbered ridge with heavy dead and down fuels, moving towards the Black Elk Wilderness.
A road closure on Palmer Creek Road is in place until further notice. For public safety, many trails in the Black Elk Wilderness Area are also closed. Trail numbers #2, #3, #4, #8, #9N, and #9S trail will be closed until further notice. Smoke will continue to be thick in the area for the next several days. The public is asked to avoid traveling on roads and trails in the vicinity of the fire for their own safety and the safety of firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
