A large grass fire in the valley just off Highway 250 drew a major multi‑department response Saturday, keeping firefighters on scene for more than 12 hours as strong, shifting winds pushed flames across several fronts. The blaze broke out late morning on May 2 at the south end of Riverdale Municipality, prompting Riverdale Fire, Whitehead Fire, Wallace‑Woodworth Fire, and Rapid City Emergency Services to respond.
Crews battled rapidly changing wind conditions throughout the day, with additional members remaining overnight to extinguish hotspots and prevent flare‑ups. Officials say the terrain and wind made the fire especially difficult to contain.
Neighbouring Communities Stepped In
Support from surrounding communities played a major role in the response. Members from several local colonies arrived with water tankers, backpack blowers, and provided lunch for exhausted firefighters mid‑afternoon. Their assistance, firefighters say, was invaluable during the long operational period.
Heavy equipment support also came from the community. Jayden Lok of Johan’s Construction spent hours cutting fire lines by bulldozer to stop the fire from spreading further. Local homeowners offered manpower and resources, while Sioux Valley First Nation Safety Officers assisted with evacuations and safety checks as conditions shifted.
Second Fire Prevented
While crews were still working the main fire Sunday morning, a report came in of another ignition on the east side of the highway — believed to have been caused by a cigarette butt flicked from a vehicle. Because firefighters were already nearby, they were able to stop it before it spread. Officials say that without that timing, Westman could have been facing a second major grass fire.
Photo credit: Riverdale Fire Department Facebook page
Safety Reminder
With winds expected to reach or exceed 70 km/h today, residents are urged to avoid all outdoor burning and to never discard lit cigarettes from vehicles.
