SUNDAY UPDATE:
The White Draw Fire continues to grow despite a little
assistance from Mother Nature Saturday night.
The moisture from overnight thunderstorms wasn't enough to
suppress the 3,032 acre fire burning less than 5 miles from Edgemont. Firefighters are now working to hold and improve the lines
they put in place Saturday.
More assistance is being sent in to help the 181 people
working the fire. Four helicopters and a single air tanker were also sent in to
assist.
The White Draw Fire started Friday when a motor home pulled
to the side of the road and ignited some dry grass. The fire is only 10%
contained.
Some homeowners have evacuated the area as a precaution.
SATURDAY UPDATE:
The White Draw Fire started near Edgemont around 3:30 p.m. Friday when a motor home with mechanical trouble pulled to the side of the road and ignited some dry grass. Everyone inside the recreational vehicle made it out safely.
Firefighters are battling the estimated 2,000 acre fire with helicopters and an air tanker.
They say their biggest challenge is the extreme heat and rough terrains.
"It's really a rough terrain and there are a lot of good anchor points at the head of the fire," Said Rick Lang, one of the crew members fighting the fire. "Right now we are getting favorable winds but I just noticed they're changing which it could cause problems later."
Firefighters warn drivers to practice caution on U.S. Highway 18 because of heavy smoke in the area.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Two new wildfires broke out Friday afternoon, with one particularly dangerous and rapidly growing blaze threatening homes north and east of Edgemont.
The White Draw Fire reportedly started from a motor home catching fire between Edgemont and Minnekahta Junction. The fire quickly spread into grass and trees and is at 100 acres and growing.
US Highway 18 between Edgemont and Minnekahta Junction was closed for a time, but has since reopened.
Fall River County Emergency Manager Frank Maynard says firefighters are attacking the blaze by air and by ground. Structure protection measures are in place. No structures have been lost so far.
Another mostly grass and farmland fire burned northeast of New Underwood Friday afternoon. That fire scorched 200 acres and was fully contained Friday evening.
