Officials Warn of Fire Danger Despite Rain

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota officials say people should realize that wildfires could still break out despite the recent rain.

Jim Strain, assistant operations chief for the South Dakota Wildland Fire Division, says South Dakota has received rain and vegetation is beginning to turn green. But he says trees are still ready to burn because they continue to suffer from the effects of last year's drought.

The Wildland Fire Division responded to two small fires caused by lightning in the Black Hills over the weekend.

Officials say the Powerline Draw Fire was a single-tree snag in a remote area of Custer State Park.

The Curt Fire was less than a tenth of an acre on the Argyle road in the Hot Springs area.

Strain says South Dakota residents should remember that grass and shrubs can dry out quickly and pose a fire hazard. He says dead vegetation from last year can also easily catch fire.

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