Firefighters with South Dakota Wildland Fire marked the opening of two new state-funded buildings in Rapid City and Hot Springs designed to house equipment, fire engines, and training operations.
The $4 million project addresses long-standing facility issues, including overcrowded and unsafe storage conditions, that according to Wildland Fire Director Jay Wickham, who said crews are “grateful” to finally have spaces they can call home.
The buildings were funded with $2.5 million approved by lawmakers in 2023 and an additional $1.4 million added in 2024 after costs increased. The Hot Springs facility is dedicated to firefighter Trampus Haskvitz, who died fighting the Coal Canyon Fire in 2011.
Gov. Larry Rhoden, speaking at the Rapid City ribbon-cutting, praised firefighters’ recent work amid heavy wildfire activity and emphasized the importance of proper facilities and equipment.
Fire danger remains high in the Black Hills following a warm, dry winter and spring. South Dakota Wildland Fire employs about 45 full-time and a similar number of seasonal firefighters across several Black Hills locations and works closely with local and federal agencies.
Reporting by Seth Tupper / South Dakota Searchlight
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