Fire crews are mopping up a lightning-caused fire in the central section of Wind Cave National Park. The fire was reported at 1:54 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, and crews were immediately dispatched to begin suppression efforts.
Personnel and equipment from the National Park Service, Forest Service, Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department and South Dakota Wildland Fire responded, along with two Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs) based at the Hot Springs Airport.
The fire reached a size of one and a half acres before being controlled at 5:05 p.m. Crews from outside the park have been released with park personnel continuing to monitor the fire.
As the weather heats up and the fire danger increases, visitors are urged to be careful with their outdoor activities.