White River area fire grows to four miles wide, evacuations underway

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE - The White River area fire is now 13 miles in length and spans 8,000 to 10,000 acres, according to Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department. With shifting winds, the fire is now moving east, according to Jones County Emergency Management. The agency also said that the fire still has not crossed the White River, and it may have slowed slightly. Cherry-Todd Electric Cooperative also posted on Facebook that because of burned poles, some residents are without electricity. The cooperative says it's prepared to restore electricity as soon as conditions are safe for crews to begin repairs.

 

WHITE RIVER, S.D. - A large grass fire burning north of White River has now spread to four miles wide, according to Jones County Deputy Emergency Manager and Deputy Sheriff Kyle Kumm. Several areas have been evacuated, including the town of Okaton and those living between 268th and 264th Avenues all the way to the White River.

“Right now it hasn’t jumped the river, but if it does, we’ll have to close down the Interstate between Murdo and Kadoka, along with other nearby roads,” Kumm said.

The fire started on the west side of White River and quickly spread north along Highway 83. According to the National Weather Service, satellites estimate the fire spread ten miles within the first three hours.

Many nearby fire departments are on the scene. The Mission Volunteer Fire & Rescue posted on Facebook that it’s responding, along with Parmalee Volunteer Fire Department, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department and BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management-Rosebud Agency. Other agencies are also helping, including from Mellette, Jones, Lyman and Tripp.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the area because of the high fire danger. Several other fires have been reported throughout the region, including a fire near Okreek, South Dakota and another near Chadron, Nebraska.