SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Containment has risen to 75% in the Silver Mountain Fire as crews worked overnight, according to a recent Facebook post.
The size of the fire is at 22 acres and areas of the Black Hills and western South Dakota remain under a Red Flag Warning through Saturday with high winds and low humidity.
“Firefighters will continue to strengthen control lines and mop-up near the fire’s edge,” the release said.
Firefighters mop-up by dousing any remaining flames or embers and removing burning material near the control lines. They stir and drown any hot areas that are still smoking, according to the post.
Dry conditions remain across the state, making risk for a fire dangerously high. Officials are warning the public to be extra careful over the weekend.
“A small spark from activities like mowing the lawn, recreational shooting, chains dragging on the road while pulling trailers, and operating a motorized vehicle in tall grass can start a fire” Jason Virtue, Fire Management Staff Officer of the Black Hills National Forest said in a news release.
The Black Hills National Forest says all fires are potentially serious. In 2024, there’s been 92 wildfire starts in the Black Hills National Forest with nearly 400 acres burned.
“Recent fires such as the First Thunder fire and the Silver Mountain fire have produced extreme fire behavior, but firefighters were able to manage those fires without loss of homes or life,” the news release from the Black Hills National Forest said.
KELOLAND New’s Tyler Louder is taking a tour of how crews are battling the Silver Mountain Fire Friday. He will have a full report on Friday night’s newscast.
