Wind Cave Reopens after fire closure - KOTA Territory News

Wind Cave Reopens after fire closure

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Wind Cave National Park, S.D. – The sounds of electrical generators, the sight of an empty parking lot, and the smell of smoke will soon be replaced with the sights and sounds of a busy national park.

Closed since Thursday afternoon, July 19, due to the nearby Myrtle Fire, Wind Cave National Park is reopening Tuesday in time for one of its traditionally busiest weeks.

Shut off since early Friday morning, power was restored Saturday evening to the park. Maintenance crews worked Sunday and Monday to ready the park for visitors and employees.

During the power outage, the only room on generator power was in the visitor center basement. Computers and radios were recharged, and staff crowded around laptops while working on the incident.

Park residents were allowed to return to their homes Sunday after being evacuated in the middle of the night Thursday.

"We are very thankful for the work of the fire fighters and glad no one was hurt," said park superintendent Vidal Davila. "The last two weeks of July are traditionally our busiest weeks of the year, and we look forward to reopening the park Tuesday."

Suppression efforts continue on the Myrtle Fire. For updated fire information, visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3028/. For park information call 605-745-4600.

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