Campground Fire Contained in Wind Cave National Park

Date: July 23, 2007
Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-4600

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – Fire crews were busy Friday afternoon, July 20, suppressing a small fire in Wind Cave National Park. The Campground Fire, estimated at less than an acre in size, burned in grass and ponderosa pine trees a half-mile south of the park’s Elk Mountain Campground. The fire was reported around 4 p.m. and suppression efforts began immediately.   

As of 6 p.m., the fire was 100 percent contained. National Park Service and U. S. Forest Service engine crews were aided by water bucket drops from a Type I helicopter as they worked to stop the spread of two-foot high flames burning on hilly terrain.

No structures were threatened and no evacuations needed. The cause of the fire is lightning.  Three Type VI engines responded along with one water tender. Crews will be monitoring the burn into the evening.  

The fire danger in the park is high. Visitors and residents are encouraged to be careful with cigarettes and all burnable materials.