Road Closures No Longer in Effect on the Longhorn Complex Fire - KOTA Territory News

Road Closures No Longer in Effect on the Longhorn Complex Fire

UPDATE 7-29 12:27PM:

Demobilization of fire crews and other resources will continue as Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team C, a Type II team, will transfer command of the Longhorn Complex Fire to a Type III organization on Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. This will be the last update from Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team C. Rosebud Fire Department will be the point of contact for questions regarding the Longhorn Complex Fire and can be reached at 605-747-2700.

Residents should expect to see smoke in the area for the next several days due to unburned pockets of fuel burning deep within the fire perimeter. Residents and visitors are urged to refrain from taking any action in extinguishing these small plumes and should notify local authorities. Initial attack resources remain available for any new fire starts.

Incident Commander Joe Lowe told departing fire crews, "Firefighters on this incident have been humble professionals and have done an outstanding job, we have come together with local fire fighters and I am proud of the work we have all done. Goodbye and see you on the next smokey ridge."

The Longhorn Complex started on Thursday, July 19, 2012, and burned an estimated 43,639 acres. This Complex initially began as four separate lightning caused fires. The Longhorn Fire burned an estimated 1,650 acres. The Iron Shell Fire burned into the Beads Creek Fire with an estimated acreage for both fires at 38,617. The South Crazy Horse Fire was estimated at 3,372 acres.