09/26/2026
Rapid City in ’90th percentile’ wildfire risk: Fire officials urge fall preparedness after Lookout Fire
The Lookout Fire near Spearfish is out, but fire officials say the drought conditions behind it — and Rapid City’s high wildfire risk — haven’t gone anywhere.
By Ryan Hill
Published: Sep. 25, 2026 at 5:34 PM MDT
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The Lookout Fire near Spearfish is fully contained — but fire officials say the risk that fueled it hasn’t gone away, and it’s closer to home than many residents realize.
“Rapid City and our surrounding areas are actually within the 90th percentile of potential of wildfire within the country,” said Eric O’Connor, captain of the Rapid City Fire Department’s Wildfire Mitigation Program.
The Lookout Fire burned 444 acres before crews contained it, sparked by burning hay bales in a ditch, according to O’Connor and prior reporting on the incident.
O’Connor called it a fast-moving, wind-driven fire that aligned fuel, weather and terrain conditions in a way that pushed flames quickly uphill into timber — but said a coordinated response from multiple agencies, including Rapid City crews on initial and extended attack, kept it from causing greater damage to nearby homes.
The fire is one example fire officials are pointing to as September’s National Preparedness Month draws attention to wildfire readiness.
Nationally, firefighters have responded to more than 52,000 wildfires that have burned over 8.2 million acres so far in 2026, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
South Dakota Wildland Fire Director Jay Wickham said the state is now in its second year of drought conditions, which dry out larger fuels — logs, downed trees and other heavy debris — making fires burn hotter and harder to control.
“As those larger fuels become available, because they’re dry, they contribute to the combustion of the fire — the intensity of the fire is going to go up,” Wickham said.
“That means a stronger resistance to control. It takes more resources, more retardant, more air tankers, more engines, more water to put them out.”
Both officials pointed to defensible space as one of the most effective, low-cost steps homeowners can take.
“Keeping the landscape immediately adjacent to your home free of debris, of firewood, pine needles... and even mowing that taller vegetation and grass back away from your home and other structures definitely gives your home a better fighting chance during a wildfire event,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor pointed to the Foreman Fire near Rapid City’s Skyline Drive earlier this year as proof the work pays off: fire crews were able to quickly stop that fire from spreading further in part because of prior fuels-thinning work in the neighborhood and defensible space maintained by residents themselves.
Wickham offered additional fall-specific advice, including safe disposal of wood stove ashes.
“Do not take your ashes out of your wood stove and walk out and dump them on the brush pile,” Wickham said.
Instead, let ashes sit in a closed metal container for 48 to 72 hours, then add water before spreading them out — never dump them in a pile or on anything flammable.
Other steps recommended by both officials:
Avoid sparking activities on Red Flag Warning days — don’t mow, weld, grind or drag trailer chains on the ground.
Fully extinguish ci******es and avoid parking vehicles or UTVs in tall, dry grass, especially as hunting season brings more people into the woods.
Clear pine needles and debris from gutters, sidewalks and around the house.
Mow grass short before winter to maintain defensible space around the home.
Call your electric utility, rather than attempting it yourself, if you notice tree limbs hanging near power lines.
Wickham cautioned against complacency despite recent moisture and cooler temperatures.
“Don’t get lulled to sleep by the moisture, the cooler temperatures,” he said.
“It’s very common for us to get a warm day, windy day in the fall. October is a windy time of year.
Just be very cognizant of the weather when you’re outside doing any activities.”
“Do your part before the wildfire starts,” O’Connor added.
For real-time fire updates, Wickham recommends the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s social media channels:South Dakota Department of Public Safety
The Black Hills National Forest’s social media pages are also a useful resource: Black Hills National Forest
Finally, check your local county emergency Management and sheriff’s office pages for evacuation information.
Additional resources: The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends maintaining a noncombustible “Zone 0” — a 0-5 foot buffer around the home cleared of vegetation, furniture and other flammable material — as one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire ignition risk.
Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
https://www.kotatv.com/2026/09/25/rapid-city-wildfires-90th-percentile-fire-officials-urge-fall-preparedness-after-lookout-fire/?fbclid=Iwb21leAUj-qBjbGNrBSP6mGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe7ZjivB1IEI6yYI92FyNKYzXjfuBPqzy2nKjwVSWjYjM96ZkOe0j_42-Kn2U_aem_UohTBY_3qfiqu5IOXJKQCA
Lookout Fire near Spearfish is contained. Fire officials explain South Dakota's drought risk and share fall wildfire prep tips, from ash disposal to defensible space.
