ROCKERVILLE, S.D. — Firefighters from multiple departments were called to help battle a number of fires south of Rapid City along Highway 79 Wednesday.
According to the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, the fire occurred on HWY 79 near Spring Creek Road. Crews arriving on the scene found a small grassfire burning along the highway.
The fire was held to the area northwest of the intersection. The South Dakota Highway Patrol and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office helped with traffic on the highway.
Great Plains released information on multiple fires:
79 Fire
Date reported: March 6, 2024, Location: on Highway 79, Size: 5 acres, Resources: State, local, federal, Status: Contained
Lone Pine Fire
Date reported: March 6, 2024, Location: 2 miles south of Hermosa on Hwy 79, Size: 36 acres, Resources: state, local, and federal, Status: Contained
MM 43 Fire
Date reported: March 6, 2024, Location: 5 miles SW of Fairburn on Hwy79, Size: 1.9 acres, Resources: state and local, Status: Contained and controlled
Cobb Fire
Date reported: March 6, 2024, Location: 4 miles north of Fairburn on Hwy 79, Size: 5 acres, Resources: local, state, and federal, Status: no containment
MM 32 Fire
Date reported: March 6, 2024, Location: 4 miles SW of Buffalo Gap on Hwy 79, Size: 0.1 acres, Resources: state and local, Status: Contained and controlled
Allen Ranch Fire Date reported: March 6, 2024, Location: 3 miles south of Hermosa on Hwy 79, Size: 1.5 acres, Resources: federal, Status: Contained
And in related news, it could be sleepless nights for firefighters in eastern South Dakota.
A large portion of the area is under a red flag warning, meaning warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds are all the ingredients for a major wildland fire.
A fire on the South Dakota/Minnesota line injured one person and two firefighters when it scorched 2,000 acres and threatened nearby homes.
Another fire in the middle of the Sandhills of Nebraska, burned for days, claiming at least two farmhouses and several other outbuildings. Over 71,000 acres has burned.
Fire managers said they are working with ranchers, farmers and residents in the burned or threatened areas to address any unmet needs, and are also actively working with the American Red Cross and state agencies to aid those affected by the fire
