RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Officials in northwestern South Dakota said crews had made significant progress Saturday in containing a second Harding County wildfire, one of many fires in the Dakotas that have started recently in the wake of dry ground conditions, strong winds and a lack of moisture.
Jonathan Moor, a spokesman with the Bureau of Land Management, said the Moonshine Fire in Harding County was about 70 percent contained on Saturday morning and expected crews could have it fully contained by early next week.
It’s not spreading anymore, Moor said, but there are still some active pockets within the perimeter that could be carried further by a change in wind. It’s estimated the fire has covered more than 2,800 acres, or about 4.4 square miles.
The fire is the second to scorch Harding County in the last week and one of many to scorch North Dakota and South Dakota recently.
The massive Sheep Draw Fire near Harding, South Dakota, covered approximately 22 square miles and is now completely contained. Two engines are just monitoring the area for flare-ups and will stay on site for another week.
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple declared a fire emergency on Wednesday as dry conditions and unseasonably high temperatures led to several grass fires in the state.
The National Weather Service issued “red flag” warnings for the southeast and south central portions of South Dakota on Saturday.
Kyle Weisser, a meteorologist with the weather service in Sioux Falls, said they issue the warnings when a combination of dry conditions, a large number of dead and dormant plants and strong winds can lead to fires that spread quickly.
“It really kind of sets the stage for potential fire problems,” he said.
Weisser recommended the public try not to burn on days when the service issues red flag or extreme fire danger warnings.
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