Buffalo

past fire

Wildfire

ACRES BURNED

2

STATE

Idaho

ORIGIN COUNTY
Shoshone
containment

100%

Active Hotspots

Active Hotspots are heat signatures detected by satellites within the last 24 hours.

  • Most locations are covered at least every 3-5 hours.
  • Some hotspots may be unrelated to wildfires.

Active Hotspots (0)

on

off

Recent Hotspots

Recent Hotspots are heat signatures detected by satellites within the last 7 days.

  • Most locations were covered at least every 4-6 hours.
  • Does not include last 24 hours.

Recent Hotspots (0)

on

off

Flame Animation

Flame Animations are visual depictions of flame behavior based on known data.

  • Wind data from National Weather Service.
  • Some flames depicted may be unrelated to wildfires.

Flame Animation

on

off

47.1463393089424, -115.527846574452

{EDA7A5DC-8BC5-476A-AEF4-24E17C2599DB}

2024-07-27

TIMELINE

75 days

July 27

Detected

October 10

LAST UPDATED
Wind Dynamics

first 2 will be pulled from the fire automatically.

Can have dynamic values. Ie > Higher wind value raises directional randomness value.

Time Scale

Inherent speed (at zero wind). Controls the overall speed of the simulation, affecting how quickly particles move and update.

3.5x

Wind Speed

Controls the velocity of particle movement, simulating how wind speed affects ember and heat plume transport.

11mph

Wind Direction

The prevailing direction of the wind as provided by the closest NWS weather station, expressed in degrees.

N(0)E(90)S(180)W(270) 0degrees

Directional Randomness

Simulates turbulence and local wind variations by adding random fluctuations to particle trajectories, similar to fire-induced wind eddies.

12%
Particle Dynamics

Can also have dynamic values. Ie > Higher wind reduces scale decay. Or Higher acreage increases. More than 30 hotspots increases particle lifespan. Etc.

Particle Lifespan

Determines how long each heat visualization element persists, analogous to the duration of visible thermal signatures in infrared imagery.

30frames

Particle Density

Controls the concentration of visualization elements within each burst, similar to the density of detected thermal signatures in a given area.

20%

Particle Scale Decay

Determines how quickly particles diminish in size over their lifespan, representing the cooling and dissipation of thermal signatures.

60%

Particle Scale Variation

Controls the range of initial particle sizes, simulating the variation in intensity of thermal signatures across a detection area.

80%
Burst/Emitter Dynamics

(⛔️ Some of these aren't totally working.). Controls the detailed behavior of fire particle emission patterns.

Burst Frequency

Sets how often new groups of particles are emitted, simulating the pulsing nature of thermal plumes and intermittent fire behavior.

2per sec

Particles Per Burst

Determines the number of thermal signatures released in each emission event, representing the intensity of individual heat releases.

3

Burst Duration

Controls how long each emission event lasts, analogous to the duration of individual thermal pulses in fire behavior.

0.3sec

Gap Between Bursts

Sets the cooling or rest period between emission events, representing the cyclical nature of fire intensity fluctuations.

0.2sec

Burst Length Variation

Adds randomness to the duration of each burst, simulating the natural variability in fire behavior and thermal signature patterns.

50%
Incident Data

CAUSE

Undetermined

BEHAVIOR
Moderate

BEHAVIOR DETAILS
  1. Creeping
  2. Backing
  3. Single Tree Torching
PRIMARY FUEL TYPE?
Timber (Grass and Understory)


Description

Section 24 SW of Dominon Point

Response

Lead Protecting AGENCY

USFS

DISPATCH CENTER
Coeur d'Alene Dispatch Center
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Private
(Private)

WEATHER

Nearby Air Quality
AQI

*

47.1463393089424, -115.527846574452

* mph • *

forecast

From the Web

External data is not official

This information is compiled automatically, and is not confirmed by a human reviewer.

2025-04-17 20:00:37.3577632025-04-17 20:00:37.357763

1. Start Time & Info

**Start Date/Time/Location** The Buffalo Fire was reported on April 11, 2025, at 1350 hours (1:50 PM) along South Dakota Highway 212 on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, approximately two miles northwest of Marksville, South Dakota, and two miles west of Swiftbird, SD, north of Highway 212 in Dewey County[1][2][5]. **Size and Containment** As of April 16, 2025, the fire has burned 611 acres and is 80% contained[2][5]. **Growth and Rate of Spread** The fire was initially described as fast-moving and was stopped at BIA Route 7. It has been fueled by grassland with pockets of shrubs and sage. Despite its initial rapid spread, the fire's growth has been controlled, with no significant increase in size since the initial report[1][2][5]. **Containment Efforts** The firefighting response involves the Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department, BIA Wildland Fire Resources, and local volunteer fire departments from Dupree, Trail City, Timber Lake, and Eagle Butte. Currently, 28 personnel are assigned to the incident, focusing on patrolling the perimeter, mopping up hot spots, and securing containment lines[1][2][5].

2. Evacuations & Closures

**Evacuations and Sheltering:** **No Mandatory Evacuations** There are no reported mandatory evacuation orders or warnings issued for this fire[1][2][5]. **No Evacuation Shelters** Since no evacuations have been ordered, there are no evacuation shelters set up for this incident. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** **No Specific Road Closures** There are no specific road closures reported due to the Buffalo Fire. However, residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel to allow firefighters room to work[1][2]. **For more information, visit:** - [InciWeb's Buffalo Fire page]: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire - [InciWeb's Incident Maps Gallery for Buffalo Fire]: https://inciweb.fs2c.usda.gov/incident-maps-gallery/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire - [Wildfire Trackers' Buffalo Fire page]: https://wildfiretrackers.com/f/fires/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire

3. Current Impact

**Impacts:** **Injuries and Fatalities** There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Buffalo Fire[1][2][5]. **Structures Impacted** No structures have been reported as damaged or destroyed in this fire[1][2][5]. **School and Business Closures** There are no reports of school or business closures due to this fire. **Notable Impacts** The fire has primarily affected grassland areas with pockets of shrubs and sage, but no notable structures or areas of significant cultural or historical importance have been impacted. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages** There are no reported power outages related to the Buffalo Fire. **Water Safety** No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans** Given the high fire danger, residents are advised to be cautious with any outdoor burning. **Air Quality** While smoke from the fire may pose some health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions, there are no severe air quality alerts issued for the immediate area[1][2].

4. Current Outlook

**Containment Projections** Firefighters anticipate continuing to patrol and mop up the perimeter to achieve full containment. The fire is currently 80% contained, and efforts are focused on securing the containment lines and preventing rekindling[2][5]. **Weather and Wind Warnings** Strong northwest winds sustained at up to 30 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 45 mph, are expected. This has resulted in a very high grassland fire danger, increasing the risk for flare-ups and complicating firefighting efforts. A Red Flag Warning is in effect due to these conditions[2][5].

5. Weather info

**Cause** The cause of the Buffalo Fire is currently under investigation[1][2][5]. **Weather and Climate** The fire is being fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. The area is experiencing persistent high fire danger due to the dry grasslands and shifting winds, which are exacerbating the fire's spread and intensity. The forecast includes stronger northwesterly winds, potentially gusting up to 60 mph on some days, which heightens the risk for rekindling and spread[1][2][5].

Citations

['https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire', 'https://inciweb.fs2c.usda.gov/incident-information/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire', 'http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire', 'https://inciweb.fs2c.usda.gov/incident-maps-gallery/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire', 'https://wildfiretrackers.com/f/fires/sdcra-2025buffalo-fire']

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