Date: July 23, 2012
Current Situation: Fire crews have made excellent progress on the Myrtle Fire over the past several days. Crews were successful in conducting firing operations to secure the southeastern portion of the fire yesterday. Weather conditions were favorable in allowing crews to conduct the burnout both safely and to promote forest health. The fire is currently 40% contained with an estimated containment date of July 25th. Today, fire crews will be mopping up the fire perimeter – a process firefighters use to make sure there are no hot spots near the containment lines. Crews will also be clearing any hazard trees along the roads to make sure travel on roads is safe for the public.
Community Meeting: All those affected by the Myrtle Fire (including residents in Pringle, Hot Springs, Custer, and Argyle) are invited to attend a Community Meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the community building next to the fire station in Pringle.
Evacuations and Closures: All evacuations will be lifted, and all roads will be open as of 1:00 p.m. today. Fire crews will be continuing to work in the area, and residents are asked to use caution while traveling on roads as they open to the public. Should conditions change, a pre-evacuation notice could be reinstated. For current information on the status of evacuations and road closures please contact Custer County at (605) 673-8105 or Fall River County at http://fallriver.sdcounties.org/. Utility companies have restored power to all primary residences in the area.
A Temporary Area Closure, issued by the Black Hills National Forest, remains in effect for the Myrtle Fire area.Wind Cave National Park remains closed until further notice.
Public Safety: Residents returning to their homes, and those traveling on roads near the fire, are asked to use caution when driving as there are still fire vehicles in the area. Smoke may continue to impact residents and visitors in the area of the fire in the afternoon. Please use caution when driving in areas of smoke.
Fire Statistics
Location: 1 mile east of Pringle, SD Start Date: July 19, 2012
Size: 10,080 acres
Percent Contained: 40
Cause: Under Investigation
Total Personnel: 621
Cost: $2,100,000 - Those fires are EXPENSIVE….lets work to only let mother nature start them…. remember, there is no smoking outside of a vehicle or building in the Black Hills due to high fire danger.
Resources on Scene: 7 Type 1 hand crews, 6 Type 2 hand crews, 56 engines, 3 dozers, 13 water tenders, 7 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 3 Type 3 helicopters, fixed wing support and overhead personnel
