Air Tanker 466, a Dromader, at Hot Springs, SD, March 14, 2012. Photo by Bill Gabbert

In what is unprecedented in the state, six Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) are staged and available to help to fight wildfires in South Dakota this week. The aircraft are positioned at  Pierre, Mobridge, Valentine, Hot Springs and two in Lemmon.

Part of the reason for the surge in the numbers of air tankers is the opening of pronghorn antelope season on Saturday.

There have been quite a few fires in western South Dakota this year and the SEATs have been busy.