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.

 The scattered smoke you see in this photo represents hot spots that could rekindle in the dry, windy conditions we expect today. Last night, firefighters worked to extinguish any hot spots near structures, as they repeatedly checked on those properties.The fire area is under a Red Flag Warning through this evening, due to historically dry fuels, wind, and low humidity. Our firefighters need your help today: Please avoid outdoor use of fire, or anything that could make sparks. Together, we can prevent another new fire.#SchroederFire2021
 
 

Updated All evacuations and closures for the Schroeder Fire have been lifted. Some areas are only open to residents. Please check the Pennington County Sheriff's page for more information. 
 
 Road Closures and Evacuations are in Place

For all road closure and evacuations please visit https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire or https://www.facebook.com/rapidcitypenningtoncountyemergencymanagement/

We've had so many generous offers for donations to support firefighters. We truly appreciate the offers however, firefighters are fully supported by our logistics section to include water, electrolyte drinks, food, Nomex (fire protective clothing), sleeping bags, medical supplies, and firefighting equipment. One option to support firefighters across South Dakota is to reach out to your local volunteer fire department. Often they are in need of funding, supplies, and volunteers!

Monday, March 29, 2021

Schroeder Fire

·                     Located 4 miles west of Rapid City off Schroeder Road which is off of Nemo Road in Pennington County

·                     Local, State, and Federal resources have responded

·                     This is a dynamic wind driven fire - estimated size is not available at this time

·                     A fire investigator has been ordered to determine cause

·                     Evacuations are currently taking place

UPDATE at 4:30 pm following Press Conference:

     *  Estimated at 800 acres

     * MMA flight was ordered from Colorado to fly the fire tonight and get a more accurate size

     * Infrastructure - power lines were damaged 

     * A structure assessment team has been ordered

     * Three heavy airtankers were ordered and will report to the Tanker Base

     *  An air attack platform was ordered

     * Winds have decreased, and a National Guard helicopter has been in use

Official Schroeder Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/SchroederFire2021/

Fire start date:  3/29/2021

Fire size today: 2,165 acres

Containment: 47%

Location: One mile west of Rapid City, SD

Personnel: 250

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

1 Type 3 helicopter

Evacuation Information:

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office: 605.394.2174

https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire

Summary:

Command of the Schroeder Fire transitioned to the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team at 6:00 p.m. yesterday.

Red Flag warnings are in effect due to dry, windy conditions with the weather forecast calling for highs in the 50s today and winds gusting from 20 to 30 mph this afternoon. Similar, though slightly less windy conditions are expected on Thursday.

The Schroeder Fire has grown to 2,165 acres and is 47% contained.

Yesterday, crews were able to construct containment lines along the west and east ends of the fire. Heavy air tankers dropped retardant along the fire’s southern edge, in the Cleghorn Canyon area. Today, firefighters will continue to focus on protecting structures throughout the fire area and constructing and improving firelines on the northern and southern edges of the fire perimeter. Air support is available if it is needed. Overnight crews will continue to patrol and monitor fire activity around structures and private property.

The fire is producing light smoke that is visible from Rapid City, which settles into the valley overnight. This air inversion is expected to lift by mid-day.

Evacuations are in place. Please visit https://www.pennco.org/SchroederfRoadFire or https://www.facebook.com/rapidcitypenningtoncountyemergencymanagement/

for updated evacuation information and maps.

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.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial News Release
For Immediate Release
Release Date: March 31, 2021
Contact: Maureen McGee-Ballinger, maureen_mcgee-ballinger@nps.gov, 605-574-3115

Ready for Visitors

KEYSTONE, S.D. – Mount Rushmore National Memorial will reopen for visitors 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning April 1. State Road 244 east and west entrances will reopen at midnight tonight. Iron Mountain road will remain closed through tomorrow allowing firefighters to continue mop-up operations.

“Fire response in the Black Hills relies on the interagency collaboration and the coordination of Resources by the Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center in Rapid City,” stated Superintendent Wheatley. “We are grateful to the multiple agencies and firefighters that provided a swift response enabling the reopening of the park. I would like to thank the Incident Commanders Joh Stahl, Matt Spring, Eric Allen, and Brandon Sanchez, for their leadership during this incident and United States Forest Service Agency Administrator Tracy Anderson for her support.”

Responders included firefighters from Black Hills National Forest, Tatanka Hotshots, Custer, Hill City, Lead, Rapid City, Rapid Valley, Spearfish, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota State Wildland Fire, South Dakota National Guard, Campbell County Wyoming, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service.

Media with questions about the fire, please contact Fire PIO Travis Mason-Bushman at 605-228-3867. For media updates concerning the park opening, please contact Maureen McGee-Ballinger at 605-574-3115.

For information, please visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s official website at www.nps.gov/moru
www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for the 419 national parks in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice

Glass Canyon Fire Update: March 28, 1800 hours
Location: approximately 6 miles south of Sanderson, Terrell County
Acreage: 92 acres
Containment: 100% 

Decrease in acreage is due to more accurate mapping.  The majority of the fire area was inactive today but contained some pockets of heat that ground crews were able to cool down. 
 
All Texas A&M Forest Service personnel have been released and control has been turned back over to the local fire department to monitor.