Myrtle Fire Update 3
Incident: Myrtle Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/20/2012
Myrtle Fire Update 3
Custer, SD - The Myrtle Fire, reported yesterday, July 19, 2012 at 1:30pm approximately 1 mile east of Pringle, SD, has grown to 7500 acres and is 15 percent contained.
Earlier today, Custer County officials issued active evacuation orders to 242 residences in the Argyle Road area.
No homes have been lost in the fire area, fire officials said.
The type 1 team has arrived and will transition with the type 3 tomorrow.
Last night, the American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Custer Middle School to assist those affected by the Myrtle wildfire.
Available Red Cross assistance for individuals displaced by the Myrtle Fire includes:
Shelter at the Custer Middle School located at 527 Montgomery Street in Custer, SD
Food, clothing, personal hygiene items
Mental health counseling
Mobile canteen services for residents and first responders
Today Hot Springs set up a cooperative evacuation center at the Mueller Center. The center is run by Fall River County and the American Red Cross.
"We appreciate the well-executed initial attack firefighting and emergency response by all of the cooperators on this quickly spreading fire " Craig Bobzien, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor said.
Custer County Sheriff Rick Wheeler and Custer County Emergency Coordinator Mike Carter said today there is no anticipated threat to Custer City from the Myrtle Fire. The Myrtle Fire is burning in rugged country east and south of Pringle, SD, about 11 miles south of Custer.
"Other than a little smoke now and then most people in Custer should not notice any major effects from this fire," Wheeler said. Highway 89 south from Pringle to Minnekahta Junction is open as are all other major roads and highways in the area, he said.
Closures remain in effect and include: Highway 385 from Pringle to Wind Cave, Wind Cave National, Beaver Creek Road, Rifle Pit Road, Apple Valley, Bowman Ridge and Flynn Creek Road at Cold Springs Cemetery. Argyle Road is closed off of Highway 385 by Hot Springs and Highway 89, for both ends of the loop.
Approximately 300 firefighter personnel are on scene.
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