US Forest Service optimistic that First Thunder Fire will be 85 percent contained by Friday night

RAPID CITY, SD (KOTA) – This is the fifth day of the First Thunder Fire.

The US Forest Service is optimistic that the fire will be 85 percent contained by Friday evening.

A spokesman for the organization said firefighters were making good progress and could begin cleaning up the fire areas today (Friday) or tomorrow.

The rehabilitation would aid the healing process of fire-damaged areas and provide a “bridge” to long-term recovery. There are currently 100 firefighters in the fire area, but that number could drop to 50 by tomorrow.

“We're going to stay out there as long as we need to. You know, there's probably going to be smoke inside the fire for at least another five to seven days where it could be dangerous to put out the smoke. So we're just going to let it burn out because it's really pitch black around the rest of the fire,” said Brandon Sanchez, U.S. Forest Service chief of operations.

He added that their goal is to achieve complete containment by next week.

Sanchez would like to thank the U.S. Forest Service, Rapid City Fire Department and other agencies for their collaborative efforts in containing the fire.

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