RAPID CITY, SD – The Wasta Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a wildland fire on Base Line Road near Wasta, and in unincorporated Pennington County.
Upon arrival firefighters observed a fire burning in cured grass and brush, with flame lengths between three to five feet in length and immediately struck a second alarm.
At the time of this release, the “97” fire had an estimated containment of approximately 2,500 acres, however this is subject to revision as more accurate mapping will occur during day light hours on August 24. A more accurate assessment of damage to ranching assets will also occur during day light hours.
Suppression efforts were hampered by steep, rugged inaccessible river break terrain, very high fire danger, moderate drought conditions, darkness and multiple fires in the vicinity caused due to lightning activity
No injuries to firefighters, civilians or domestic animals were reported at the time of this release
Agencies responding from a three county area included Pennington County 911, Wasta Volunteer Fire Department, Quinn Volunteer Fire Department, Wall Volunteer Fire Department, New Underwood Volunteer Fire Department, Scenic Volunteer Fire Department, Interior Volunteer Fire Department, Rapid City Fire Department, Elm Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Enning Volunteer Fire Department, Box Elder Volunteer Fire Department, Ellsworth Airforce Base Fire Department, Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, North Haines Volunteer Fire Department, Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Battle Creek Fire District, Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department, Pennington County Highway Department South Dakota Wildland Fire, Black Hills National Forest, Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, Local Ranchers and Neighbors
For information on state and federal wildland fires: http://www.gpfireinfo.blogspot.com./ https://twitter.com/GPFireInfo
Additionally Great Plains Fire Information and the Helpline Center are reminding people of their “Area Fire Alert Messaging text system”. To subscribe, text “GPfire” to 85511 and you will receive a verification text message that you have subscribed, Text ‘STOP’ to cancel at any time.
Subscribers will be alerted to significant fire activity such as wildland fires and prescribed burns in the Great Plains Dispatch Zone. This zone covers the Black Hills National Forest, Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands and South Dakota Wildland Fire Division.
