2025 South Dakota wildfires |
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The 2025 South Dakota wildfires are a series of active wildfires currently ongoing in South Dakota.
Spring in South Dakota is marked by increasing temperatures and decreasing humidity, creating favorable conditions for wildfires. The Grassland Fire Danger Index is issued daily during this period, indicating elevated fire risk. The Black Hills National Forest also experiences increased fire activity during these months. Notably, the 2000 Jasper Fire—the largest wildfire in South Dakota’s history—occurred during this season. [1]
From June through August, warmer temperatures and potential Drought conditions increase, further increasing fire risk. The Black Hills National Forest continues to experience heightened fire activity during this period. [2] The White Draw Fire in 2012, which resulted in the tragic loss of four lives due to a firefighting aircraft crash, occurred in June, highlighting the dangers associated with summer wildfires. [3]
While the spring and summer months are the primary fire seasons, wildfires can occur year-round in South Dakota. The state's diverse landscapes and varying climatic conditions contribute to the potential for wildfires at any time. For instance, the Legion Lake Fire in 2017, which burned over 53,000 acres, occurred in December, demonstrating that fire risk persists beyond the traditional fire seasons. [4]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date [a] | Notes | Ref |
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Route 13 | Ziebach | 33,928 | March 10 | March 20 | From three fires merging together. Burned about 8 miles (13 km) south of Faith. | [6] [7] |
South Tripp | Tripp | 2,000 | March 14 | March 15 | [8] | |
War Creek | Jones | 2,602 | July 26 | July 29 | Human-caused. Burned 15 miles (24 km) south of Fort Pierre. | [9] |