Pretty Flower Fire Burning Between Hermosa and Keystone

Evacuations Underway

 

Hayward, SD - A fast burning wildland fire between Hermosa and Keystone, S.D. has forced the evacuation of 20-30 homes in the area.

 

The fire, known as the Pretty Flower Fire, is being managed by Pennington County Fire Service agencies in cooperation with State agencies. The fire is burning on mostly private land and is estimated to be 20-30 acres. That estimate will be adjusted with more accurate mapping.

 

20-30 residences are evacuated. Pennington County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross serving Central and Western SD has established an evacuee reception center at the Keystone Community Center. In addition to structures, infrastructure such as wells and power lines are threatened.

 

The fire is 0% contained at this time.

 

No injuries have been reported.

 

Approximately 75 firefighters are on scene. Two wildland hand crews are on scene as well as a bulldozer from South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression.

 

Closures include all roads off of Rushmore Ranch Rd. Incident Command requests that Highway 40 traffic be limited to emergency vehicles and local traffic only.

 

There is no current estimate on a containment date or time.

 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

An updated release is planned for 3:00 pm MST.

 

Please contact Jim Bussell, Pretty Flower Public Information Officer, at 605-863-0061 for questions related to this release.

 

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