STURGIS, S.D. – It appears a discarded cigarette is to blame for staring a fire that burned almost 457 acres on Monday.

Lt. Zac Bader with the South Dakota Highway Patrol mentioned at the Thursday rally press conference that South Dakota Wildland Fire had determined the fire was sparked by a cigarette. 

The fire appeared to have started right off State Highway 79, next to the Iron Horse Campground.

The fire was pushed by a southeasterly wind, sending it on a northwesterly direction. Fire crews called in air support from helicopters as the fire jumped Rock N Rally Road before its forward progress was stopped at Bear Butte Lake Rd.

No homes were lost due to the fire. 

The fire’s cause is one of the main concerns fire officials have when the population in the area increases due to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.