Custer, SD – The White Tail Fire, located near Lower French Creek in Custer County started on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 and continues to burn in rugged terrain. The fire is 249 acres.
A Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the fire.
Crews conducted successful burnout operations today and continue to secure the edges around the fire. At 3 p.m. today, the fire was 60% contained. Crews continue to extinguish and remove burning material near lines and fell snags.
Resources will remain on scene overnight.
Highway 87 from Blue Bell Lodge to the intersection at Hwy 16A remains closed.
As isolated and heavy fuels continue to smolder within the perimeter of White Tail fire, smoke will remain visible for the next several days.
The public is reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the fire area as there is heavy fire traffic on French Creek Road.
- Located off Whitetail Rd near Lower French Creek in Custer County
- 30+ acres 100-150 acres
- State and Federal resources, dozer, ANG, volunteer Fire departments and SD DOT with air attack platform all on scene
- Cause is under investigation
- Type 3 team in place
- Burning on Custer State Park, Forest land and private land; majority of fire in Custer State Park
- Started from outside of Custer State Park and moved in
- Direct attack is difficult because of terrain
- Resources on scene will be staying overnight
- Hwy 87 from Blue Bell Lodge to the intersection at Hwy 16A is closed
- Expect heavy fire traffic on Lower French Creek Rd
- Cause has been determined to be a tree that fell onto a power line
Photo and Article from: Great Plains Fire Information Press Release http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/
