Evander Reed-Crews encircle wildfire on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

2025-05-07 18:53:20source:HAI Communitycategory:Markets

WOUNDED KNEE,Evander Reed S.D. (AP) — A wildfire has burned about 750 acres (304 hectares) of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, but crews have encircled much of the fire and it no longer is growing, officials said Tuesday.

The fire was reported Friday evening on the west side of the reservation, located in southwest South Dakota, as it tore through trees and heavy vegetation.

Jon Siedschlaw, deputy director of Oglala Sioux Tribe Emergency Management, said the fire was still burning inside a line dug with heavy equipment. No homes or other structures have burned, he said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Pine Ridge Agency, which is leading the firefighting effort, didn’t respond to inquiries from The Associated Press about the blaze, but in a Facebook post the agency said Monday evening that the fire was 80% contained.

“Fire is holding inside the heavy equipment line. Even with the rain some areas inside the perimeter have started to smoke again. Smoke will be visible for the following weeks,” the post said. The agency said in other social media posts that crews will continue responding to the fire this week.

READ MORE Former tribal leader in South Dakota convicted of defrauding tribeTribes blast South Dakota governor’s claim that leaders are benefitting from drug cartelsSouth Dakota officials to investigate state prison ‘disturbance’ in Sioux Falls

The fire was spotted Friday between Manderson and Wounded Knee. It spread with the help of wind gusts of 45 mph (72 kph), the agency said in a post.

Pine Ridge is the largest Native American reservation in South Dakota and one of the largest in the U.S. It comprises about 2.1 million acres (850,000 hectares), according to the Pine Ridge Agency’s website.

More:Markets

Recommend

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, a day a

Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?

He may not have a Most Valuable Player award like teammate Jose Altuve, but Alex Bregman has been on

Family of security guard shot and killed at Portland, Oregon, hospital sues facility for $35M

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The family of a security guard who was shot and killed at a hospital in Portla