North Dale Fire in an urban area near Rapid City

(UPDATE at 7:09 p.m. MDT, March 20, 2015)

The latest information about the incidents northwest of Rapid City indicates that there were at least two fires about 1.5 miles apart — the 6-acre North Dale Fire along Interstate 90 from milepost 52 to 54, and the 16-acre Exit 55 fire, just west of Exit 55 on I 90 in Pennington County. As this is written, there was no serious damage in the Exit 55 fire, but there was damage to several power poles and other utility infrastructure in the North Dale Fire. Also in the North Dale Fire there were several cases of citizens with smoke inhalation and one with minor 1st degree burns. The Rapid City Fire Department medical staff handled the medical issues.

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(Originally published at 4:34 p.m. MDT, March 20, 2015)

This video of the North Dale Fire burning in an urban interface area near Interstate 90 northwest of Rapid City, South Dakota is impressive. At first firefighters thought it was multiple fires, but apparently it was one very long fire, stretching along the Interstate from milepost 52 to 54. As of about 4:45 p.m. MDT on Friday, the estimated size was eight acres. There are no reports of homes burning, but two outbuildings succumbed to the flames.

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Another fire on Thursday–

And while we’re on the subject of fires in the Black Hills of South Dakota — another fire started on Thursday, the six-acre Deadman Fire off Vanocker and Glena Roads west of Rapid City in the Black Hills National Forest on the Meade/Lawrence county line. On Friday three hand crews and four engines improved fireline and mopped up.

The photos were supplied by the U.S. Forest Service.

Deadman Fire
Deadman Fire during the initial attack.

Deadman Fire

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.