CUSTER, S.D. – Firefighters have achieved 100 percent containment of the Grey Rocks Fire south of Custer as of Tuesday, according to local fire officials. The blaze, which began Sunday afternoon near the Custer County Airport, burned a total of 58 acres of grass and timber.

Crews remain on the scene Tuesday to extinguish remaining hot spots within the fire perimeter. The multi-agency response included resources from the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, South Dakota Wildland Fire, and federal partners who worked to secure lines as the region faced challenging weather conditions.

Firefighters are continuing to monitor the area closely during a current wind event. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the region Tuesday, noting that west winds gusting up to 60 mph and low humidity could lead to rapid fire spread if any new ignitions occur.

While forward progress was halted late Sunday, the heavy winds on Tuesday prompted crews to stay on-site to safely handle any potential wind-generated activity. “Efforts to suppress the fire are progressing well; however, wind conditions continue to pose a significant threat,” the Custer County Sheriff’s Office stated during the initial response.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries or structure losses have been reported in connection with the incident. Officials continue to urge residents in the Rapid City and Black Hills area to exercise caution and avoid outdoor burning due to the high fire danger index and critical weather conditions.