RAPID CITY, S.D. – Fire crews say at the end of the day Saturday, the Schroeder Fire burning west of Rapid City remained at 94-percent containment.
Firefighters continued working to complete control lines in two areas of difficult terrain.
The fire’s size is still 2,224 acres with no growth over the past 24 hours.
Fire, firefighters’ main tasks are to continue to extinguish heat sources near the fire perimeter, patrolling the fire line, removing hoses and other equipment that is no longer needed, and rehabilitating ground disturbance caused by containment line construction. Smoke and flames may be visible within the fire’s interior as the fire smolders and consumes unburned fuels, which is normal and expected. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Incident Commander trainee Matt Spring cautioned firefighters about expected weather through the holiday weekend. “With forecasted dry weather conditions and temperatures in the 70s to low 80s this Easter weekend, along with the increase in traffic within and around the fire area it is essential for you to maintain awareness of your surroundings for your own safety and that of the public.”
Objectives continue to maintain firefighter, aviator, and public safety as top priority. Please drive slowly and be mindful that firefighters will remain working alongside roadways and neighborhoods. Firefighters and the public also need to be watchful for falling trees that have been weakened by fire.
The combination of near record-high temperatures with record-low fuel moisture for this time of year creates extreme fire conditions. Although winds are expected to be milder than they have been over the past week, the risk of an ignition growing into a large fire is high. Please take extra care to prevent igniting a wildfire when recreating outdoors. Avoid parking over tall grasses, ensure tools and vehicles are equipped with spark arresters, and be careful with campfires and other ignition sources.
