Qury Fire Reaches 70% Containment as Operations Transition

Northeast Radio SD News – Custer, SD - Firefighting efforts on the Qury Fire are entering a new phase as officials announce significant progress in containing the blaze. As of Sunday, March 22, the fire is reported at 9,168 acres with 70% containment.

The Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Todd Hoover, confirmed that today’s operational update will be the final daily report for the incident. On Monday morning, command will transition to a Type 4 operation managed by the local unit.

While the management organization is scaling down, resources remain active on the ground.

·         Mop-up and Patrol: Crews are continuing to secure control lines and patrol the perimeter during daylight hours.

·         Night Operations: Tonight marks the final scheduled night shift for firefighters on the line.

·         Ongoing Presence: Residents should expect to see fire personnel continuing to work on firelines to ensure the perimeter remains secure.

Favorable weather is aiding the final push for containment. Today’s forecast calls for a maximum temperature of 50°C, wind speeds around 10 mph, and relative humidity near 30%. A cold front is expected to remain in the area through Tuesday.

Reopenings and Restrictions

Repopulation efforts have been successfully carried out across the entire fire area. However, access is strictly limited to residential traffic only.

·         Entry Requirements: Residents must possess an Orange Card issued by Custer County Emergency Management to enter restricted zones.

·         Road Closures: Several closures remain in effect, including segments of Lower French Creek Road, Highway 87 (from 16A to the Wind Cave National Park boundary), and several forest draws.

·         Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains over the fire perimeter. Officials remind the public that unauthorized drone use or aircraft activity will ground firefighting air operations.

Community Gratitude

The Incident Management Team extended its thanks to the Custer community for its overwhelming support. Officials highlighted the contributions of local restaurants and hotels, as well as the critical support from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, and local Volunteer Fire Departments.