The Biggest Wildfires in South Dakota History
So, I'm guessing this is just the way it is during the summer in Sioux Falls? Wildfire smoke is making Sioux Falls increasingly hazy. Especially smoke in South Dakota from Canadian wildfires. It's like a Mary Poppins that nobody wants. The wind changes, and we get rid of oppressive heat only to be replaced by cool air and smoke.
While the blanket of wildfire smoke Sioux Falls experiences each summer seems to be happening more often, South Dakota is no stranger to wildfires.
Prairie Blazes and Black Hills Infernos
Living an east-river South Dakota life, it's easy to forget that a small mountain range, the Black Hills dominate the western end of the state. They are home to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. The pine-covered Black Hills have burned several times over the last century.
Not that the rest of the state is out of the burning woods when it comes to wildfire. The vast flatlands can see prairie fires, fueled by the notorious South Dakota wind, which can burn huge areas fast.
South Dakota has experienced about 12 big fires this century, kicking off with the Jasper Fire in 2000. There were fewer major fires in the decades before, but wildfire danger has been a constant in the Black Hills.
Let's take a look at some of the biggest wildfires in South Dakota history.
The Biggest Wildfire in South Dakota History
The biggest wildfire so far in South Dakota history was, in fact, not a forest fire in the Black Hills, but three separate fires on the same day.
In September 1947, a fire, likely started by a discarded cigarette, burned a combined 250,000 acres in Hand, Hughes, Hyde, and Potter Counties, right in the center of the state.
The 2000 Jasper Fire
The biggest traditional forest-type wildfire was the Jasper Fire in 2000. It was the largest single wildfire in South Dakota history, so far. Between August 24 and September 25, 2000, the Jasper Fire burned 83,508 acres in the southern Black Hills. It cost about $9 million to fight the fire and caused around $42 million in damages.
The fire burned across parts of Custer and Pennington Counties. Several buildings and about 90% of the land area of Jewel Cave National Monument were turned to ash, according to the National Park Service.
The Jasper Fire was caused by a person who had stopped on the side of U.S. Highway 16 near Jasper Cave Road, just west of Jewel Cave. They lit a cigarette and dropped a burning match on the ground. Witnesses ID'd the person's car, they were arrested, pled guilty to second-degree arson, and were sentenced to 25 years in prison.
2017 Legion Lake Fire
In December 2017, the Legion Lake Fire burned 53,875 acres in Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park in the Black Hills. The fire started when strong winds knocked a tree down, which knocked down a power line and sparked the fire. Luckily, the fire missed the big tourist attractions, but did burn part of the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park.
1985 Flint Hill Fire
On July 15, 1985, the Flint Hill Fire burned 21,746 acres between the towns of Hot Springs and Edgemont in the Black Hills in the Seven Sisters range.
1931 Rochford Fire
The 1931 Rochford Fire in Pennington County burned 20,934 acres of the Black Hills near the tiny town of Rochford, SD.
1939 McVey Fire
On July 10, 1939, the McVey Fire was started by lightning. It burned 20,729 acres of the Black Hills near Hill City, SD. The fire destroyed 17 buildings and 100 head of cattle.
Wildfires are a big deal, and once they are burning out of control, there isn't anything to really do except try to contain them, stay out of the way, and let them burn themselves out.
Yellowstone Wildfire of 1988
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