Watertown Fire Rescue Assists Florence Fire Department in Containing 4.5‑Acre Wildland Fire

Steve Jurrens
May 15
1 min read

Firefighters in a grassy field work to contain a smoking wildland fire, assisted by a red fire truck. Text highlights the collaboration.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Watertown Fire Rescue provided mutual aid to the Florence Fire Department Friday after a brush fire broke out near the intersection of 451st Avenue and 166th Street, according to a WFR media release.

WFR dispatched Brush 3, Brush 1, and Tender 1 to assist Florence crews, who already had three brush trucks and a tender operating on scene. Firefighters were working the roadway and the north side of the fire to keep flames contained within the field and fence line as strong west winds pushed the fire eastward.

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WFR crews entered the burned area and began suppression efforts along the south flanks of the fire, advancing toward the head of the blaze. Both brush units successfully extinguished the head, allowing responders to achieve full containment.

Firefighters then mopped up hotspots and ensured the area was fully extinguished. No injuries were reported. An estimated 4.5 acres of pasture burned, and WFR crews remained on scene for about 90 minutes.

Firefighters in yellow gear and a red fire truck douse a field with water, under a clear blue sky, with smoke in the background.