The fire that started near the Little White River, just North of the town of White River has now burned an estimated ten to twelve thousand acres since it began Thursday.
The town of Okaton, SD was evacuated as a precaution, 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.
The strong winds pushed 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.
Valentine Volunteer Fire Department sent truck to the Oak Creek Fire yesterday afternoon, they were released from that fire and sent to assist at White River.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the fire started in Mellette County by human cause near Power Dam Road north of White River.
According to Fire Chief Terry Engles, Valentine crews were out overnight fighting fire and replacement crews were sent this morning.
There were reports of wind speeds of 50 mph in the area. Heat and smoke from the fire are showing up on KELOLAND Weather Radar systems.
The Intense wind from the south pushed the massive grassfire north, taking down power poles and racing through livestock operations. 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 away.
Mellette County Sheriff, Lafe Gildemaster, requests only necessary traffic on Highway 83, and no travel outside of the official efforts off Highway 83 in the area of the fire.
Friday Noon- Firefighters from several area teams worked yesterday and through the night to try to contain a massive grass fire that broke out Thursday afternoon along the White River in northwestern Mellette County. Fueled by 90 degree heat and wind gusts that approached 50 miles per hour, the Power Dam Road Fire spread rapidly during the afternoon hours. The blaze was centered in the river bottom on the south bank of the White River, but was able to jump the river and spread further northward. A DPS spokesman has said Friday morning that fire crews were able to hold off the fire near Okaton, at least for the time being. Weather forecasts for today call for temperatures in the mid-80’s and lesser wind gusts. The DPS also said the firefighting effort has been helped by local farmers, ranchers and citizens who worked to shuttle water and create fire lines with heavy equipment.