SOUTH DAKOTA – Firefighters responded to several wildfires across western South Dakota over the weekend and into Monday morning.
Near Rockerville, crews stopped the Beretta Fire’s forward spread Sunday evening. The blaze, located off Beretta Road northwest of Highway 16 and Silver Mountain Road, burned just over 12 acres. Firefighters used both air and ground resources to battle the fire, which was reported around 5:30 p.m. One engine remained on scene overnight as crews continued containment and mop-up efforts. The fire was reported at 50 percent contained Monday morning.
In northwest South Dakota, the Gilbert Fire was reported west of Buffalo late Sunday morning. Crews gained control of that fire by Sunday afternoon after it burned an estimated 211 acres.
Meanwhile, two smaller fires were reported in the Northern Hills Monday morning. The Lexington Fire near Deadwood burned about one-tenth of an acre before being contained. Another fire north of Spearfish near Spearfish Peak was estimated at a quarter-acre, with crews continuing their response.
Fire officials remained on alert following thunderstorms that brought lightning across the region Sunday night and into Monday morning. The causes of the fires remain under investigation.
