BIA: wildfire started by firework, triples in size on Pine Ridge

Jun 18, 20200

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Billowing smoke hovers over reservation land burned in a firework-induced wildfire on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Firefighters have found it difficult to attack the fire head-on due to high winds and plan to wait for favorable weather conditions before carrying out a direct assault on the fire. (BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management - Pine Ridge Agency)

PINE RIDGE, S.D. (KEVN) UPDATE: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Forestry & Wildfire Land Management released more info on the Wilson Road Fire that has scorched forested areas southeast of Oglala.

According to a post on BIA Pine Ridge Agency's Facebook page, the fire tripled in size from 200-acres to approximately 600-acres across timber and tall grass in the area as of 2:27 p.m. Wednesday.

Initial reports showed the cause of the fire had human origins; BIA has since clarified by adding that a firework is the culprit behind the blaze. Investigators have not labeled any suspects in this case.

https://www.blackhillsfox.com/content/news/Pine-Ridge-wildfire-reaches-200-acres-initial-reports-show-human-origin-571319441.html