BROOKINGS — A grass fire broke out at Dakota Nature Park on April 12, forcing the evacuation of the park and recreation trails as firefighters fought the blaze to a standstill before fully quenching it.
A total of 6.6 acres of land burned, Fire Marshal Jared Runge of the Brookings Fire Department told The Brookings Register. He added that the cause of the fire could not be determined and that there were no injuries.
The fire was contained to the park’s south side along 32nd Street South, and started at approximately 12:53 p.m. It extended as far east as the west ditch on 22nd Avenue South and led to the closings of both roadways for a time while firefighters doused the fire and its subsequent hotspots. Runge noted that damage was limited to a fence line, and it’s believed to be accidental in nature.
“Fire personnel worked quickly to contain the blaze, which spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry grass conditions,” Runge said. “Crews were able to bring the fire under control and prevent further spread into surrounding areas.”
The BFD responded with three brush trucks, two tenders, and 18 personnel, Runge said. It was assisted by the Brookings Police Department and the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Brookings Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.
“Their support helped ensure public safety, manage traffic control and secure the affected area during operations,” he said.
Runge also urged the public to be aware of the parched conditions.
“The (BFD) reminds the public to use caution during dry and windy conditions, as fires can ignite and spread quickly,” he said.
While there are chances for precipitation in and around Brookings over the next several days — ranging from 20% to 50% — the U.S. Drought Monitor is painting an increasingly worrisome picture. Per its April 9 forecast:
• Brookings County is primarily in moderate drought conditions, except for a pocket of severe drought in the southwest corner, and another small pocket of abnormally dry conditions in the northwest corner.
• Moody County is mostly in a severe drought category, while moderate drought conditions are found in its northeast corner.
• Lake County is entirely within severe drought conditions.
• Kingsbury County is in a mix of three drought categories: Severe in the south, moderate in the center and abnormally dry up in the north.
• Most of Hamlin County is abnormally dry, with a pocket of moderate drought in its southeast corner.
• Deuel County is a split between moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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