Keystone area Wildland Urban Interface Fire Escalates to Multiple Alarms

   The Battle Creek Fire Department responded to the intersection of Highway 40 and South Rockerville Rd, Unincorporated Pennington County, for a report of a Wildland Fire on Mar. 22, 2025 at 2:43 p.m.

   Upon arrival firefighters observed a fire burning in cured grass and brush, with flame lengths between three to five feet in length and immediately struck a second alarm, eventually the fire went to multiple alarms.

   The fire did threaten structures, infrastructure and transportation routes, causing limited residential evacuations.  

   Firefighters, hampered by drought stressed vegetation, winds upwards of 35 MPH, low relative humidities, limited access and steep inaccessible terrain, contained the rapidly moving fire at 39 acres.

   No injuries to civilians, firefighters or domestic animals were reported.

   Agencies responding included Pennington County 911, Battle Creek Fire Department, Town of Keystone, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Pennington County Emergency Management, Pennington County Highway Department, Pennington County Fire Service, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department,  Rapid City Fire Department, Hill City Volunteer Fire Department, Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Black Hills Electrical Cooperative, Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department, Box Elder Fire Department, North Haines Volunteer Fire Department, Black Hawk Fire Department, Piedmont Fire Department, Doty Volunteer Fire Department, United States Forest Service-Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota Wildland Fire, local friends and neighbors.