Fire crews are monitoring the aftermath of a wildfire near Lemmon. The fire started yesterday afternoon and grew because of high winds and extremely dry conditions.
The fire started northwest of town and ran for more than 20 miles to the southeast.
Lemmon Fire Marshal Shane Penfield says the efforts to combat the fire were considered “massive.”
“We've had 21 fire departments from Mobridge, South Dakota to Camp Crook, South Dakota, Bowman, North Dakota, to Flasher, North Dakota, to Faith and all points in between.”
Penfield says the blaze never reached the town but did damage more than 20,000 acres surrounding the area.
“19 farms and ranches that this fire went through and not an occupied residence was destroyed. There were some ranchers and farmers that lost some outbuildings, lost fence, cattle got scattered. Unfortunately, there was a ranch headquarters that was devastated as well.”
According to a news release, two firefighters were injured.
The Perkins County Sheriff’s Office closed portions of Highway 12 and 73 and issued a voluntary evacuation for Lemmon residents Thursday night. Since then, those who evacuated have returned to their homes. Roads have reopened Friday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire crews continue to monitor the remnants of the fire and expect to completely extinguish it later Today.
-Contact SDPB reporter John Nguyen by email.