Tecolote Fire Update: April 2, 1300 hours
Location: Hidalgo County, west of Raymondville and north of Hwy 186
Acreage: 845 acres
Containment: 80% 
Cause: Lightning 

Crews returned to the Tecolote Fire this morning. No new fire growth occurred overnight. The fire was mapped this morning to be 845 acres. TFS and local resources will continue to work hot spots along the fire perimeter and any other areas of concern.  

Tecolote Fire Update: April 1, 2100 hours
Location: Hidalgo County, west of Raymondville and north of Hwy 186
Acreage: approximately 400
Containment: 75% 
Cause: Lightning 

Currently, no active fire behavior is observed. Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) were utilized to stop forward progression of the Tecolote Fire. Three structures were threatened and saved. Ground crews are making progress constructing containment lines and will continue to work tonight to secure the fire perimeter. The cause of the fire was most likely due to a lightning strike. 

The Schroeder Fire is 100% contained at 2,224 acres. The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team will transfer command to a Type 3 team at 6:00 p.m. today. Firefighters will continue to patrol containment lines and repair ground disturbance caused by containment line construction today. A few isolated areas of heat still smolder, but they do not threaten fire containment.

Incident Commander Jared Hohn said, “I want to thank everyone for their excellent safety record and interagency cooperation during this incident. We may be in the home stretch, but now is not the time to be thinking of home. Stay present, watch out for falling trees, rolling debris, traffic, and other hazards. Our job here is not done until we are all home safe.” The public is asked to please drive slowly within and around the fire area and be mindful that firefighters will remain working alongside roadways and neighborhoods.

A cold front is expected to move through the area this morning with the forecast calling for highs near 70, and winds of 10 to 20 mph gusting 30 to 35 mph as the front passes. A Red Flag warning is in effect from noon today until 7:00 p.m. There is strong likelihood of rain and snow beginning tomorrow, bringing anywhere from ¼ to ¾-inch of precipitation.

Impending wet weather will help subdue the extremely dry conditions in western South Dakota in the short term; however, it will take more than one rain/snow event to reverse the long term dry trend. The community needs to remain vigilant to prevent future wildfire incidents on public and private lands. Avoid parking over tall grasses, ensure tools and vehicles are equipped with spark arresters, and be careful with campfires and other ignition sources. Visit https://sdda.sd.gov/wildland-fire/wildland-urban-interface/firewise-information/ for information about how to protect your home and property.

Fire size today: 2,224 acres 
Containment: 100% 
Personnel: 155
Cause: Under investigation
Management: Rocky Mountain Type 2 Blue Team
Air Operations: 1 Air Attack fixed wing
Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office: 605.394.2174
https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire  

The Schroeder Fire is holding at 94% containment and 2,224 acres. Crews continue to seek out and extinguish heat sources near the fire perimeter, patrolling containment lines, clearing out unneeded equipment, and repairing ground disturbance caused by containment line construction. Residents around and within the fire area will likely see smoke rising from hot spots on the ridges above Cleghorn Canyon and Nameless Cave Road, and in the National Guard West Campus, however, interior hot spots do not threaten to breach containment.

Incident Commander Jared Hohn reminded firefighters to maintain situational awareness. “It’s easy to become complacent when we’re sitting at 94% containment and fire activity has calmed. There are still a lot of hazards out there and work to be done, so let’s stay focused and keep each other safe.”

With 94% containment on the 2,224-acre Schroeder Fire, firefighters’ main tasks are to continue to extinguish heat sources near the fire perimeter, patrolling the fire line, removing hoses and other equipment that is no longer needed, and rehabilitating ground disturbance caused by containment line construction. Smoke and flames may be visible within the fire’s interior as the fire smolders and consumes unburned fuels, which is normal and expected. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Incident Commander trainee Matt Spring cautioned firefighters about expected weather through the holiday weekend. “With forecasted dry weather conditions and temperatures in the 70s to low 80s this Easter weekend, along with the increase in traffic within and around the fire area it is essential for you to maintain awareness of your surroundings for your own safety and that of the public.”  
 

Objectives continue to maintain firefighter, aviator, and public safety as top priority. Please drive slowly and be mindful that firefighters will remain working alongside roadways and neighborhoods. Firefighters and the public also need to be watchful for falling trees that have been weakened by fire. 

The combination of near record-high temperatures with record-low fuel moisture for this time of year creates extreme fire conditions. Although winds are expected to be milder than they have been over the past week, the risk of an ignition growing into a large fire is high. Please take extra care to prevent igniting a wildfire when recreating outdoors. Avoid parking over tall grasses, ensure tools and vehicles are equipped with spark arresters, and be careful with campfires and other ignition sources. 
 

Those wishing to support firefighters with donations of food, beverages, or other comforts should consider directing donations to local fire departments.  
 
Fire size today: 2,224 acres  

Containment: 94% 

Location: One mile west of Rapid City, SD 

Personnel: 242 

Cause: Under investigation 

Management: Rocky Mountain Type 2 Blue Team 

Air Operations: 1 Air Attack fixed wing 

Evacuation Information: The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office: 605.394.2174 

https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire  

The Schroeder Fire reached 86% containment and was mapped at 2,224 acres yesterday. Today, crews will focus on mop-up and patrolling the fire line, protecting structures, as well as rehabilitating containment lines from the firefighting effort. Smoke and flames may be visible as the fire consumes unburned fuels within the fire’s interior, which is normal and expected. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.Incident Commander Trainee Matt Spring commended the firefighters for their safety record on the fire. “The safety record has been outstanding, but it is important to continue to stay engaged and maintain awareness of your surroundings.” Currently, 216 personnel are assigned and working the fire.

 Last night, the fire's size increased slightly to 2,224 acres, but our firefighters increased containment to 86%. Fire managers are coordinating closely with local officials to determine when the last evacuations can be lifted safely. Today's weather will be like yesterday's - warm, very dry, and windy. A Red Flag Warning is in effect until this evening. As you begin your holiday weekend, please be very careful with fire. None of us wants a new wildfire to start.

 

 Schroeder Fire Update 

Current Situation: Today, new containment lines and moderate fire behavior allowed firefighters to continue structure protection efforts around all areas of the fire. Due to more accurate mapping by ground crews, the fire grew to 2,100 acres. Containment is now 47% and is expected to increase steadily. The fire continues to burn in steep rough country inaccessible by roads. Heavy airtankers dropped retardant along the fire’s southern edge. “Many homes were saved in the Cleghorn Canyon area, but there is still plenty of heat backing down the canyon and evacuations are expected to remain in place for the next several days”, explained outgoing Schroeder Fire Incident Commander, Rob Powell at today’s Press Briefing. The Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Team “Blue” has taken over the fire as of 6:00 PM this evening.  

The incident objectives are to keep the fire north of Highway 44, south of Nemo Road, west of Rapid City limits, and east of Nameless Cave Road and Wild Irishman Road.  

Weather: High winds are and will continue to be a factor through the evening hours tonight.  

However, wind speeds will decrease tomorrow, which is expected to provide additional support for fire containment.  

Evacuations: For information on evacuations and road closures can be found by visiting: https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchroederFire2021 

Safety: Many road closures are in place. For closure area updates, please visit:  the Pennington County Sherriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PennCoSheriff. The public is asked to avoid traveling on roads in the vicinity of the fire for their own safety and the safety of firefighters. 

Fire Statistics:  

Start Date: 3/29/2021 Size:  2,100 acres 

Location: 1 mile west of Rapid City Cause: human-caused 

Total Personnel: 250 Containment: 47% 

Resources Include:   Federal, State, and Local  

Summary:

Yesterday, crews focused on constructing and improving containment lines, patrolling, and monitoring for increased fire activity, and mopping up heat sources along the fire perimeter. Two Black Hawk helicopters were used, dropping water to cool flare-ups in the Cleghorn Canyon area. The Schroeder Fire is 2,195 acres and 47% contained.

Today, firefighters will continue protecting structures throughout the fire area and constructing and improving firelines on the northern and southern edges of the fire perimeter. Smoke and flames may be visible as the fire consumes unburned fuels within the fire’s interior, which is normal and expected.

Red Flag warnings are in effect again today due to hot, dry, windy conditions, with the weather forecast calling for highs around 70 today and southwest winds of 10 - 20 mph gusting from 25 to 30 mph this afternoon. Crews will be watchful for changing fire conditions as the wind shifts direction.

Fuels are historically dry, creating ideal conditions for rapid fire growth. Under these conditions, it is essential for people to take extra care in order to prevent igniting a wildfire when recreating outdoors. Avoid parking over tall grasses, ensure tools and vehicles are equipped with spark arresters, and be careful with campfires and other ignition sources.

Evacuations are in place. Please visit https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire for updated evacuation information and maps. As closures and evacuation orders are lifted, please slow down when driving around the fire area to help keep firefighters safe.

Those wishing to support firefighters with donations of food, beverages, or other comforts should consider directing donations to local fire departments.

Fire start date:  3/29/2021

Fire size today: 2,195 acres

Containment: 47%

Location: One mile west of Rapid City, SD

Personnel: 166

Cause: Under investigation

Management:

Rocky Mountain Type 2 Blue Team

Air Operations:

2 Air Attack fixed wing

1 Heavy Air Tanker available

2 Black Hawk helicopters available

Evacuation Information:

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office: 605.394.2174

https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire

or call 211.

Incident Information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7356/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchroederFire2021
 Fire Information – Phone: 605.923.8345      
Email: 2021schroederfire@gmail.com
 Call Center Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.