BLACK HILLS, SD — Fire season got an early start this year as fire crews have scrambled over past weeks to tackle vegetation fires before they become engulfing infernos. While there are many successes, conditions have made it difficult to contain blazes in more rural areas.

The star of last weeks’ fire hit close to home, rapidly spreading on Wednesday afternoon to engulf 385 acres of grassland, threatening homes, residents, and livestock as firefighters worked to defend property from the blaze. Their overnight efforts have paid off however, as recent reports confirm that containment sits at a confident 75%, with crews quickly tackling above-ground flames and spending the last few days tackling above-ground and underground hot spots. 

According to the Coyote Flats Fires’ Facebook Page, overnight crewing has ended and will not be restarted unless fire activity increases.

The monster in our backyard however is the Qury Fire. Measuring 9168 acres, state and federal resources have been struggling for weeks in Custer to slay this dragon. As of a recent update from Custer County Emergency Management, Lower French Creek Rd. and Hazelrodt Cuttoff Rd. are set to reopen today, though Herbert Draw, Flynn Creek, and Glen Erin rd. will remain closed for the time being. Residents are allowed to pickup and drop off items at their homes, however they are encouraged to proceed with caution, as vehicles and crews are still present in the area, and the fire itself remains stubbornly at 70% containment.

Lastly, a blip on friday starting from a reported two acre fire, the Sundance Fire split Custer County crews, drawing rapid response to Mountain Lion Lane and Sundance Drive. The fire quickly grew to just over 25 acres, and high winds and hot weather didn’t help. 

However, a strong resistance through to Sunday appears to have won crews the day, as the fire was declared fully contained and inactive as of Sunday.