Crow Peak fire grows, as sweltering temperatures hit KOTA Territ - KOTA Territory News

Crow Peak fire grows, as sweltering temperatures hit KOTA Territory

UPDATE:

The Crow Peak Fire grew to 130 acres overnight.
The fire remains at 50% contained, with a portion of the fire still actively burning. Tuesday's scorching temperatures sent three fire fighters to the hospital with heat related injuries. They were treated and released.

170 firefighters remain on the front line working to contain the fire. Fire Officials want to remind people the Crow Peak Trail remains closed.

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The Crow Peak Fire, burning near Spearfish is now 125 acres in size.

Monday night's rain helped firefighters get a line around about 50 percent of the fire.

170 firefighters are on the front line of the Crow Peak fire, fighting a fire with numerous obstacles.

And Tuesday's sweltering temperatures only added to the challenges.

"It's toasty," said Bill Bell, Strike Team Leader.

Bell has fought fires for nearly thirty years and for him, sweltering temperatures is nothing new.

"In South Dakota, you fight wildfires 12 months out of the year, so you get accustomed to heat, rain, and cold," said Bell.

"This line of work is kind of the perfect storm for heat related injuries, heat stroke and heat exhaustion," said Brian Daunt, Incident Commander.

Heat related injuries that are only intensified by hot summer days, as firefighters work to contain the Crow Peak fire.

As the sun beats down, crews take extra precautions.

"We're taking frequent breaks, drinking lots of water, keeping everybody hydrated," said Bell.

But staying hydrated isn't the only challenge the fire fighters encounter, the topography is tough to navigate.

"This is definitely the one of the more challenging areas in the Black Hills as far as the few number of roads, terrain and access," said Daunt.

Firefighters know, with the red flag warning, it's not likely they'll make much progress on the fire. So the game plan is to maintain the status quo.

"Our job for today is keeping it within the control lines we already have in place and making sure things stay where we want them," said Daunt.

A fire crew from Oregon turned up to help fight the fire.

Daunt says he hopes to make headway on the fire in the next few days, as the temperatures will drop slightly.