SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Fire crews from Sioux Falls and Renner were able to stop a grass fire from spreading near the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in northern Sioux Falls. The high winds and dry conditions have firefighters sending out another warning: Don’t burn trash and be careful with anything that could start a fire, even cigarettes.
The smell of burned grass filled the air in the northeastern corner of Sioux Falls on Friday. A small fire spread Thursday night burning about five acres of city-owned land. It started about 50 yards from the entrance to the state veterans cemetery. Renner’s Assistant Fire Chief says it wasn’t moving very fast when they first arrived, but that changed quickly.
“The wind picked up, kind of just took it off and kept it moving around, the creek stopped it on the west side and then with assistance form Sioux Falls and mutual aid departments we were able to get it stopped and under control last night,” said Daniel Haugaard, Renner’s Assistant Fire Chief.
“The fire started near this bridge, firefighters did get a report of people gathered here Thursday night, so the cause of the fire could be something as simple as a discarded cigarette,” he said.
Haugaard says they were fortunate Thursday night that the wind was pushing the fire toward the creek which acted as a natural barrier. Friday the wind direction switched.
Tom- “It’s pretty windy while we are out here talking right now, the fire danger is pretty high with this wind isn’t it?
“It doesn’t take long for a small fire to get out of hand,” said Haugaard.
Tom- What do you want people to know?
J”ust be careful if you are burning garbage, don’t do it in the wind, pay attention to what’s around you,” said Haugaard.
The grassland fire danger in South Dakota is rated at high in the north east and north central parts of the state. The fire danger is rated at “very high” in the rest of South Dakota.
Conditions on Saturday are expected to be even worse.
