EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. – Officials are crediting cooler temperatures and calmer winds yesterday (Wed., March 12) with achieving more containment of the Route-13 Fire.
As of Wednesday night, the fire was 50% contained.
According to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau, the fire came close to the Takini school and housing.
“That fire was within 50 feet of homes. We’re thankful that firefighters were able to turn the fire away from the Takini area,” LeBeau added.
District 5 Council Representative Joseph Brings Plenty says aside from the many firefighters, community members are also involved in fighting the blaze.
“When the main fire was raging by Takini and that wind was pushing along there, a lot of the fire crews were up there, but some of them were digging fire lines on the north side,” Brings Plenty told KOTA. “Because that fire was still pushing, a community member told me he was trying to get to a gate, driving 45 miles per hour, and the fire actually beat him to the gate.”
