2025-Buffalo Fire 2025

On April 11, 2025, at 1350 hours a fast-moving fire was reported along South Dakota Highway 212 on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.  The fire was stopped at BIA Route 7.  It is approximately two miles northwest of Marksville, South Dakota, north of SD Highway 212 in Dewey County.

The fire was declared out on April 24, 2025, with some wetting rains occurring across the Reservation.  The wind shifting and changing directions challenged the firefighters by exposing hot spots along the fire edge throughout the containment of this fire.  The incident command had a hot spot on the Route 13 fire, 35 days after ignition, reported to them.  This is a reminder that it is very dry, rekindling is possible with the drought conditions and frequent high wind events coming from all directions.  Please recheck old fires lit this winter and ensure field equipment is maintained to prevent sparks.

On Wednesday, April 16th, the Incident Command utilized aviation resources to reinforce perimeters and prohibit rekindles.  The aircraft used was a Single Engine Air Tanker - a small, fixed wing aircraft.  This is a reminder that if you have a drone flying near an active fire, we cannot use aircraft.  BIA Wildland Fire Management has aviation resources available within the Great Plains Region due to the fire conditions forecast for April.

Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department provided initial response joined by BIA Wildland Fire Resources along with Dupree, Trail City, Timber Lake and Eagle Butte Volunteer Fire Departments.