Wildfire Reported South of Custer, South Dakota

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A wildfire was reported just before 1 PM on Sunday near the Custer, South Dakota Airport, about 3 miles south of the town. As of Sunday evening, fire officials said the fire, called the Grey Rocks Fire, had its forward progress stopped, but strong winds were still posing a significant threat. Officials asked everyone to avoid the area to prevent any possible issues that could delay emergency responders. The fire had grown to an estimated 30 acres by late Sunday afternoon and had burned mainly vegetation, with no buildings reported burned so far.

Why it matters

Wildfires are a constant threat in the western United States, especially during dry and windy conditions. This fire near the Custer airport highlights the need for vigilance and quick response from emergency services to protect the local community and infrastructure.

The details

The Grey Rocks Fire was first reported just before 1 PM on Sunday near the Custer, South Dakota Airport. Fire officials said the blaze had burned around 30 acres by late afternoon, with the fire mainly affecting vegetation in the area. Pre-evacuations were taking place east of Grey Rocks Road as a precaution, though no buildings had been reported burned at that point.

• The fire was first reported just before 1 PM on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
• By late Sunday afternoon, the fire had grown to an estimated 30 acres in size.

What’s next

Fire officials said they were working to fully contain the Grey Rocks Fire and prevent it from spreading further, with strong winds still posing a significant threat.