Crews make progress on fires, track down false reports - KOTA Territory News

The Northern Great Plains Dispatch Center was busy Wednesday sending personnel to reports of fires across the area.  Many of the reports were false alarms. Smoke was less noticeable around the region as the temperature dropped slightly, the humidity increased, and the wind decreased in the afternoon.  

The current fire danger throughout the Black Hills is high, officials ask everyone to exercise an extra measure of caution and to practice heightened fire safety at all times.

Foster Gulch:

The fire is about one acre, three miles northeast of Mt. Rushmore on the Black Hills National Forest. One engine is assigned. Officials say it is under investigation.

Ghost Fire:

The 1508-acre fire is in Crook County, ten miles southwest of Sundance, WY just one mile north of I-90. It is 85 percent contained. Officials report 100 structures are threatened and two have burned. State, county, and federal resources on the incident include one 20-person crew, one helicopter, 10 engines, two dozers, four water tenders, and three fire managers, totaling 52 personnel. Travel may be impacted on I-90 near the fire, please use caution in this area.  
 

Perela Fire:

Located in Crook County, approximately 13 miles west of Sundance, WY. Last report shows the fire at 22 acres.


Highlands Fire:

Crews have reached 100 percent containment on the 394-acre fire, 14 miles southeast of Newcastle, WY. Crews will continue to patrol and mop up smoldering logs and stumps. Five structures were destroyed and two were damaged. This is the final report for the Highlands Fire.

White Draw Fire:

The fire, four miles north of Edgemont, is 8,900 acres and 80 percent contained.