User uShare Login | Register
Login
uShare Thanks for being part of KELOLAND.com uShare!


Signup to: Share pictures, videos and stories about your community, submit wedding and engagement announcements, let people know about closings or cancellations, sell or buy items from the KELO Classifieds, receive daily emails from KELOLAND News and the KELOLAND Live Doppler HD Storm Center.

Register



52° View Weather Current Conditions Sioux Falls Change Location
Set Weather Options

RADAR LOCATION

TEMPERATURE LOCATION

 

News

[0] My Saved Articles
Find local businesses
on the KELO Pages!

 

Most Popular Today


Longhorn Fires Burn Nearly 40,000 Acres

July 24, 2012, 6:00 PM by Derek Olson

Longhorn Fires Burn Nearly 40,000 Acres
SPRING CREEK, SD -

Fire crews working the Longhorn Complex fires say the next few days will be critical to their success.

The three fires on the Rosebud Reservation have scorched nearly 40,000 acres and forced the evacuation of the village of Spring Creek.

What started as a series of different fires on the Rosebud Indian Reservation has turned into a nearly 40,000 acre behemoth.

"The fires have grown together and we're managing it now as one large fire complex," incident commander trainee Shane DelGrosso said.

With temperatures on Tuesday well above 100 degrees, fire crews are having a tough time getting good containment on the blaze.

"Today, with the spotting, any new ember that falls outside the line will start a new fire.  We're at 100 percent probability for new ignition," DelGrosso said.

The South Crazy Horse Fire, burning just north of Spring Creek, is one of the most active parts of the complex and crews have been attacking it with helicopters and hand crews all day.

The village was evacuated on Saturday in a flurry after the winds shifted.

"Fire management took over the fire and told us we had 10 minutes to leave and we were out of there," Spring Creek community chairperson Donna Hollow Horn Bear said.

Many Spring Creek residents are staying at a Red Cross shelter that's been set up in St. Francis.

"We heard that we're for sure not going home today.  We're really anxious to go home," Hollow Horn Bear said.

Fire crews are working hard to make sure that happens.

"Last night, we had some successful operations and if we can hold onto it today, we're going to be evaluating tomorrow at 11 o'clock the possibility of letting those people back into their homes," DelGrosso said.

Mother Nature isn't helping firefighters much.  Little-to-no rain is expected Tuesday night despite a cold front moving through the area.

KELOLAND News KELOLAND News KELOLAND News KELOLAND News
Photo Credit:
Photo Gallery:

Previous Story

Next Story


Comments






 
Find Local Businesses on KELO Pages!

View news

You may also like

Hand County Sheriff's Office Is Searching For Missing Person

5/19/2013 11:56 AM

The Hand County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Leroy Nye, who was last seen at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.

Full Story
Police Still Searching For Missing Man

5/19/2013 5:22 PM

Police are still actively searching for Leroy Nye, 80, who went missing from a home in St. Lawrence, SD and are asking for your help.

Full Story | Watch
Group Of Sioux Falls Co-Workers Claim $1 Million Powerball Ticket

5/16/2013 12:09 PM

It wasn't the big jackpot, but more than two-dozen workers at a Sioux Falls company won't mind splitting the second-place winnings in Wednesda...

Full Story
Three Adults Arrested On Felony Sex Charges

5/15/2013 3:55 PM

Three adults have been arrested on unrelated charges in Huron.

Full Story
Aberdeen Fire Crews Battle Gas Station Fire

5/20/2013 12:23 PM

Several Aberdeen Fire Rescue crews are battling a fire at a gas station.

Full Story


Events

 
 
KELOLAND TV: 501 S. Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605.336.1100 · Breaking News call: 1-800-888-5356
Web Site Design and Custom Programming By: Lawrence & Schiller© 2013 KELO-TV -- KELOLAND.COM -- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED