Custer State Park Fire In South Dakota Now Threatening Towns

CUSTER, SD — A wildfire in Custer State Park grew from about 6 square miles on Tuesday to about 55 square miles on Wednesday and is just 7 percent contained, the park said in a release. Now, the rapidly spreading blaze is pushing beyond the park's borders and putting nearby communities in danger, officials said on Wednesday.

The park is just south of Mount Rushmore in the southwestern area of the state.

"From hearing the briefing this morning, a lot of these firefighters say they haven't seen anything like this fire in 10 to 20 years," said Kobee Stalder, the park's visitor services program manager. "A lot of people are comparing this to a mid-summer fire."

No homes or park buildings have been destroyed and crews succeeded in burning downed trees and grass between the fire and the State Game Lodge to protect the popular site. But the communities of Fairburn and Buffalo Gap, east of the park, remain threatened and residents of about 200 area homes have been evacuated or warned to evacuate, said Custer County Emergency Management director Mike Carter.

A small number of people were evacuated Tuesday from Legion Lake Lodge, the former Star Academy East Campus and Blue Bell Lodge.

The fire began Monday. Its cause is under investigation.

Image via Shutterstock