Brookings County Firefighters Extinguish Dual Grass Fires on Saturday

Northeast Radio SD News – Brookings County, SD - Fire crews in Brookings County were kept busy Saturday afternoon, responding to two separate grass and brush fires occurring within 30 minutes of each other. According to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, neither incident resulted in injuries or monetary property damage.

Winds Reignite Controlled Burn Near Volga

Brookings County Dispatch received the first emergency call at approximately 3:33 p.m. Witnesses reported fire and smoke emanating from a tree pile and pit at a rural residence located at 46237 Hwy 14 near Volga.

The Volga Fire Department arrived on the scene and requested mutual aid from the Sinai Fire Department for additional water support. Investigators determined the cause was linked to a controlled burn conducted on March 18. While that initial fire had burned for 12 hours before being extinguished ten days prior, officials believe strong winds on Saturday caused the site to reignite.

Crews remained on the scene for roughly one and a half hours. The property is currently unoccupied and undergoing renovations.

Rail Activity Sparks Fire at Valero Facility

At 3:58 p.m., while crews were still engaged near Volga, a second report came in for a grass fire near the Valero facility in Aurora. The fire was located near the southwest rail loop, just west of the main plant.

The Aurora Fire Department and Brookings Fire Department responded to the call. Facility employees informed authorities that a train engine had been moving rail cars shortly before the smoke was discovered. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the grassy area within the rail loop and cleared the scene in about one hour.