Smoke From Western Wildfires Pushing Into Dakotas

The western Dakotas are a little smoky, but it isn't because of any large wildfires in the two states.

Officials say strong winds are pushing smoke from fires in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho into the western parts of South Dakota and North Dakota.

Stark County Emergency Manager Bill Fahlsing in southwest North Dakota tells The Dickinson Press that the county has been flooded with calls from concerned residents. The National Weather Service office in Bismarck also reports getting calls.

Great Plains Fire Information spokeswoman Beth Hermanson tells the Rapid City Journal that the smoky conditions will persist as long as the winds keep up.

Though the smoke is from afar, officials caution that the fire danger remains high in the western Dakotas.