2025-Route 13 Fire-SDCRA (SDCRA)

Wildfire Status:

On March 10, 2025, at approximately 10:15 AM, a series of grassland wildfires ignited along BIA Route 13 on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, merging into what is now known as the Route 13 Fire. A subsequent fire, termed the Northside Fire, was reported shortly after and also merged into the primary blaze overnight. The fire's behavior and prevailing weather conditions necessitated the evacuation of Takini School and the surrounding community on the same day.

The fire suppression efforts were significantly hampered by dry, heavy fuels such as trees, logs, and shrubs, compounded by moderate drought conditions and critical fire weather. The area experienced frequent shifts in wind direction, which continually rekindled hotspots and complicated containment efforts. Despite these challenges, Incident Command reported 100% containment of the fire on March 20, 2025, after ten days of active management.

Firefighting operations included the deployment of a Type 3 helicopter and South Dakota National Guard Type 1 Blackhawk helicopters, which assisted in addressing hotspots and mapping the fire perimeter. On March 13, the National Guard helicopters dropped around 26,000 gallons of water on the fire, utilizing 20 buckets. The agile Type 3 helicopter, carrying a 140-gallon bucket, also contributed to suppression efforts. A Burned Area Emergency Response assessment is currently underway, involving collaboration with various agencies to evaluate future needs. The Incident Command expressed gratitude to the Takini and surrounding communities for their support during the firefighting efforts, which involved over 135 personnel from various volunteer fire departments.

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