RCFD Responds to Afternoon Grass Fire

Second human-caused fire in 24 hours

Rapid City, S.D. - Crews from three Rapid City Fire Stations responded to a grass fire near the intersection of First and Quincy Streets this afternoon. At about 1:15 pm, Pennington County 9-1-1 dispatched crews to a report of a 20-foot by 20-foot area on fire behind the apartments at that location. When crews arrived, the fire had spread uphill aided by gusty winds and dry fuels.

The forward progress of the fire was stopped within about 15 minutes. Crews spent about 90 minutes on scene mopping up hot spots. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported. Although no structures were immediately threatened, the Rapid City Fire Department provided structure protection for homes on Kellogg Place in the Star Village neighborhood above the fire. 

The fire burned approximately 1/2 acre of grass. The fire is believed to have been human caused. The Rapid City Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Division is investigating. 

This is the second human caused grass fire in 24 hours for the RCFD. In both cases, fire moved quickly through green grass and was pushed by gusty winds. With continued warm and dry conditions, the public is reminded to exercise caution with ignition sources. 

No updates to this release are anticipated. Please contact Jim Bussell, Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Fire Department at 605-394-4180 for questions related to this release.

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