Fire burning north of Rapid City (SD), fanned by high winds

KOTA Territory News ^ | 11/20/2003 6:04:25 AM | KOTA Territory News

[phasma proeliator]

Very strong winds are driving a grass and timber fire just northwest of Rapid City. The fire, which is being called the Mill Road fire, started sometime after midnight. It is estimated at over 400 acres.

Deadwood Avenue and Haines Avenue were closed to traffic north of Interstate 90. Deadwood Avenue re-opened around 7:30 AM. The Interstate is open.

The Laurel Heights subdivision was evacuated overnight. A voluntary evacuation order was issued for Westin Heights.

There are no reports of structures burned. No injuries were reported.

The smoke is being carried over a large area of east Rapid City.

Fire fighters from numerous area departments were called in to battle the fire.

[Nonstatist]

Badlands National Refuge?

[jdogbearhunter]

Let's hope this has nothing to do with sleeper cells, etc. working their mischief with matches.

[phasma proeliator]

Rapid City Weather

[phasma proeliator]

Rapid City is home to Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Ellsworth

[phasma proeliator]

Nope - North and west of there... closer to Rapid.

[Timesink]

So much for Daschle's little rider protecting South Dakota, and ONLY South Dakota, from ecoterrorist lawsuits intended to stop forest clearing for the purposes of fire prevention.

[struwwelpeter]

I used to live there, though in Chapel Valley area. NW... Old Mill Road...would that be where the Isaac Walton League shooting range is?

[anoldafvet]

I am assuming that Dasshole is deeply saddened?

[phasma proeliator]

sorry - I'm not familiar with that...

[shadeaud]

Badlands area is just one of the spots one needs to visit on their one day visit to Rapid City. See the momument, get a beer at Deadwood, take a glimpse at the badlands( dried mud flatland) and vamoose.

[ArmstedFragg]

See the momument, get a beer at Deadwood, take a glimpse at the badlands( dried mud flatland) and vamoose.

Jeeze, you left out "take a picture of the Keystone Firehouse".

[Nonstatist]

I spent a couple weeks camping up there 2 yrs ago. I liked the area, the people, how empty it is, the hills right next to the prairie... In addition, Wall drug has coffee for only a nickle which is also very appealing.

[Fudd]

This just in...

The Laurel Heights Municipal Library was burned to the ground in last night's wildfire. Fortunately, the book was checked out.

[11B3]

Born and raised in Rapid City. I'll never return. The 'powers that be' in the area are more fascist than any outsider can imagine, with a ruthless streak that only Stalin could appreciate.

I miss the thunderstorms, and the caves, but that's about it. This is a lot late for a fire, IMHO - arson would be my guess.