79

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The 79 Fire ignited around 11:00 a.m. MDT on Saturday, April 11, 2026. It started just east of Highway 79 along East French Creek Road, approximately three miles north of Buffalo Gap in Custer County, South Dakota.
Size and Containment: As of the latest incident updates, the fire has burned 5,408 acres and is 60% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Primarily burning through dry prairie grass, the fire exhibited explosive, wind-driven growth. Initially reported at 20 acres, it rapidly expanded and raced just over 7 miles eastward to 144th Avenue in eastern Custer County within a matter of hours. The rapid spread was fueled by extreme fire weather conditions, including high winds and unseasonably warm, dry weather.
Containment Efforts: A Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team is overseeing the response. State, federal, and local resources initially utilized air support and have since transitioned to groundwork by hand and heavy equipment. Crews are currently focused on mopping up the perimeter, eliminating smoldering fuels beneath hay bales and feed lots, and addressing burning cottonwood trees in the Lame Johnny Creek drainage. Governor Larry Rhoden declared a state of emergency to provide state fire suppression funding and ensure local agencies have financial backing.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: All previous evacuation notices have been lifted. Initially, a Wireless Emergency Alert was issued advising residents in the fire's path to be prepared to evacuate as the fire crossed South Fairburn Road.
Evacuation Warnings: There are currently no evacuation warnings in place.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No shelters are currently active, as all evacuations have been lifted and no residents are currently displaced.
Estimated Number of People Impacted: While specific population numbers were not detailed, structure protection was initially required for 1-2 properties immediately threatened, with an additional 4-5 structures threatened within a quarter-mile radius.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• All road closures in the area between Highway 79 and Buffalo Gap have been lifted.
• A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire perimeter to protect aerial firefighting operations. Unauthorized aircraft and drones are strictly prohibited.
• Authorities request that the public avoid the area due to ongoing active fire suppression activity and the presence of heavy equipment on local roads.

For more information, visit:

• South Dakota Wildland Fire
• Custer County Emergency Management
• Official 79 Fire 2026 Facebook Page

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are currently no reports of injuries or fatalities associated with the 79 Fire.
Structures Impacted: Firefighters successfully protected structures along 144th Avenue. No structures have been lost or destroyed in this fire.
School and Business Closures: No specific school or business closures have been reported, largely due to the rural location and the weekend timing of the fire's ignition.
Notable Impacts: The fire burned through agricultural areas, impacting hay bales, feed lots, and fencing across a seven-mile stretch of eastern Custer County.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No significant power outages have been reported in connection with the fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported at this time.
Burn Bans: Residents should strictly adhere to local fire restrictions and monitor Custer County advisories due to the extreme lack of moisture in the region.
Air Quality: Smoke may still be visible, particularly from smoldering cottonwood trees in the Lame Johnny Creek drainage. Residents with respiratory conditions should remain cautious and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure if smoke settles in the area.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters expect to see significant gains in containment in the coming days. Crews will continue patrolling and mopping up hidden hot spots until the perimeter is fully secure, as the extreme lack of moisture in vegetation and ground creates a potential for heat to remain beneath the surface.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning was in effect through Monday evening due to winds gusting up to 45 mph. Weather conditions are expected to improve starting Tuesday, with winds dying down and remaining calmer through the middle of the week, which will greatly aid final containment efforts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the 79 Fire is currently under investigation, though some incident reports have noted it as human-caused.
Weather and Climate: The fire's explosive growth was directly fueled by extreme fire weather conditions. The region experienced unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 70s and 80s, combined with critically dry grass fuels and strong wind gusts exceeding 30 to 45 mph. These Red Flag conditions, coupled with an extreme lack of moisture in the ground and vegetation, created an environment where the fire could ignite easily and spread with extreme rapidity.

For more information, visit:

• South Dakota Wildland Fire
• Custer County Emergency Management
• Official 79 Fire 2026 Facebook Page