County assists with fire

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Last week Weston County Engine 513 went to South Dakota to aid in the suppression and containment of the Schroeder fire near Rapid City, according to Weston County Fire Warden Daniel Tysdal. 
“Initially, Weston County Engine 513 was ordered for the Bobcat fire near Hill City, but then was reassigned to the Schroeder fire near Rapid City. Engine 513 with a crew of two (has) been on the fire since last Wednesday and are expecting to be released sometime mid-week this week, as the fire has reached 100% containment,” he said. 
Aiding on the fire near Rapid City isn’t the only activity the Weston County Fire District has responded to in the past two weeks. According to Tysdal, units have deployed to four slash-
pile fires. 
“Two had escaped and were actively burning, while the other two were noticed quickly enough and called in that we were able to suppress them in the pile, before they escaped,” Tysdal said. “Although it sounds like tomorrow (Tuesday) may bring some relief with cooler temperatures and hopefully some much-needed precipitation, we had been cautioning folks about the dangerous conditions currently in Weston County.” 
Tysdal is urging residents to not burn under the current dangerous conditions and to remember to check piles that had been burned over the winter to ensure that they are completely extinguished. 
“Weston County is in a pattern of warm temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds,” Tysdal said. “Early-spring wildfires can be catastrophic and extremely expensive to suppress. … As we have witnessed this past week, just a few miles from us in South Dakota! Please use common sense and don’t burn during these dry conditions.” 
Weston County’s fire danger is designated as “high,” and Tysdal said that receiving enough beneficial moisture is the only way that danger will subside.