RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Fire Department transformed a small grass fire into a proactive fuel reduction effort Thursday morning at Thompson Park.
Emergency crews responded to reports of a fire at 10:45 a.m. along Meadowlark Road. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly stopped the forward progress of the flames.
The department’s Wildland Fuels Module also responded to the scene. Officials determined that favorable weather conditions allowed for a controlled burn operation to remove remaining vegetation in the immediate area.
“This proactive step helped mitigate future fire risk in a known hazard area while crews were already on scene,” the department stated, noting the incident was used as a targeted fuel reduction opportunity.
The total area burned was approximately one acre.
No injuries were reported during the incident, and the cause of the original fire remains under investigation. The Fuels Crew will remain at Thompson Park to monitor the area and mop up remaining hot spots.
