UPDATE APRIL 8, 2022:
Firefighters worked throughout the night to suppress the Wabash Spring Fire near Custer.
Information from the Black Hills Forest Service says as of 10am today (April 8, 2022), a combination of hand line, dozer line, and hose lay are completely around the fire and it is 100% contained. The fire remains at 111 acres.
Crews will continue mop-up operations and monitoring today and into the next few days to ensure the fire is completely out.
“The quick response and reduced fuels in the area resulted in the successful outcome of minimizing impacts and protecting homes,” said Wayne Yanders, Wabash Spring Fire Incident Commander Trainee. “Firewise mitigations taken by many of the homeowners played a key role in getting around this fire quickly.”
The fire was reported at 7:11am Thursday approximately 5 miles west of Custer. It was burning north of Highway 16 in the Upper French Creek area.
Wabash fire managers would like to thank everyone involved in containing this fire. The quick response by local, state, and federal crews was outstanding, resulting in no structures lost and no reported injuries.
Fire updates and information is posted at http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
UPDATE APRIL 7, 2022:
After battling high winds throughout the day, firefighters have made great progress on the Wabash Spring Fire. The 111-acre (updated mapping) fire started about 7 a.m. this morning (April 7, 2022), 5 miles west of Custer and is now 50% contained.
The cause remains under investigation.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Department re-opened Highway 16 earlier this afternoon. Local traffic only is encouraged for firefighter and public safety. Evacuations have been lifted for residents along Fjerdingren Place and Big Pine Road, east of the fire perimeter. For residents along Highway 16, Palomino Place, and Pinto Lane, evacuations will be lifted at 6:00 p.m. For updated Evacuation information, please call the Custer County Dispatch at 605-673-8176.
Winds are expected to decrease overnight, and crews will remain on scene to mop up and secure the fire perimeter.
Incident Commander Trainee, John Haskivitz said, “Forward progress has been stopped and I expect to see more progress throughout tonight. Full containment is not expected until sometime tomorrow.”
Custer County Emergency Management has set up an evacuation center in the gym of the old Custer Armory.
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APRIL 7, 2022:
Authorities have issued several pre-evacuation orders as crews continue to battle a wildfire burning west/northwest of Custer.
The Wabash Springs Fire was reported just after 7am Thursday (April 7, 2022) north of the Custer/Mount Rushmore KOA campground in the area of Palamino Place.
Pre-evacuation notices have been issued for Pinto Lane, Palamino Place, Big Pine Road area, Dakota Pine Road, Stagg Road, Beaver Lake Subdivision, Thompson trailer court, Millpond Estates and Ridgeview Road. A shelter for those who need to evacuate has been set up at the Custer Armory.
Highway 16 between Custer and Pleasant Valley Road is closed and people are being asked to stay out of the area to keep roads open and clear for first responders and evacuees.
Federal, state and local resources are fighting the fire.
(KBHB contributed to this story.)
Photo credit Custer County Fire Department.
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