Okaton town & ranches evacuated as fire burns near White River, SD

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The town of Okaton has been evacuated, as have several ranches south of the White River while the Power Dam Road Fire continues to burn, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety release Thursday night.

Authorities are urging the residents north of the White River to stay informed about the fire’s status and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. This includes the towns of Belvidere, Murdo and residents with homes and ranches along Interstate 90 in this area.

The strong winds are pushing the fire northward. Thursday evening, the fire was located in the river bottom of the White River on the south bank.

Local, state and federal firefighting units are combatting the fire. Local farmers, ranchers and citizens are assisting by shuttling water and creating fire lines using heavy equipment.

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Courtesy Parmelee Volunteer Fire DepartmentCourtesy Parmelee Volunteer Fire DepartmentCourtesy Parmelee Volunteer Fire DepartmentCourtesy Parmelee Volunteer Fire DepartmentCourtesy Parmelee Volunteer Fire DepartmentCourtesy Parmelee Volunteer Fire Department

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the fire started in Mellette County by human cause near Power Dam Road north of White River. 

Many Red Flag warnings are in effect throughout the region due to elevated temperatures, high winds and low humidity. This contributes to explosive wildfire behavior.

There have been reports of wind speeds of 50 mph in the area.

Heat and smoke from the fire are showing up on KELOLAND Weather Radar systems.

KELOLAND News reporter Bob Mercer was at the scene Thursday evening.

“The worst fear came true for ranchers in Mellette County, as fire swept an angry black path across miles of prairie south of the White River, consuming nearly everything in its way,” he said.

Intense wind from the south pushed the massive grassfire north, taking down power poles and racing through livestock operations, according to Mercer. He said there were hundreds of people scattered for miles along fire lines, trying to contain the blaze, and some ranchers hurriedly loaded cattle into trailers to get them out of the area.

The smoke plume could be seen from Interstate 90 and the Jones County community of Murdo 18 miles north, Mercer said. He saw semis pulling flatbed trailers loaded with water tanks that replenished wildland fire trucks when their supplies ran dry.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to KELOLAND News for more updates online and on-air.