A wildfire burning near Rapid City has caused evacuations and drawn a large response from firefighters.
The Auburn Fire was reported as a grass fire Monday afternoon about 4 miles north of Rapid City. It spread to an estimated 250 to 300 acres by 6:15 p.m. No structures were known to be lost and no injuries had been reported.
Federal and state firefighters mounted a large response, including planes dropping retardant. Authorities are asking people to stay away from the fire area so fire crews can do their jobs.
The wildfire risk has been high in the Black Hills for months because of drought. South Dakota Wildland Fire says the fire danger is very high in all of the Black Hills and the prairie areas of Butte, Pennington, Meade and Custer counties.
More information on the Auburn Fire:
A current look at the Auburn Fire from the north end of Deadwood Avenue. pic.twitter.com/Pi9nk15331
— RapidCityPD (@RapidCityPD) October 5, 2021