HOT SPRINGS -- A wildfire that erupted Saturday night about five miles southwest of Hot Springs claimed the life of one man,  injured two Forest Service firefighters and has forced the evacuation of homeowners.

Joe Lowe, the South Dakota Wildland Fire Coordinator, confirmed that possibly 20 structures have been lost, one person was killed and two firefighters were injured.

The person's name wasn't released because family members had not yet been notified.

Frank Carroll with the public affairs office of the Black Hills National Forest said that two Forest Service firefighters were injured about 12:30 a.m. Sunday as they deployed a fire shelter.

The firefighters, employees of the Black Hills National Forest, sustained injuries including burns to the face and hands, he said.

Initial reports revealed the firefighters were involved in a burnout operation when a sudden wind shift and increase in wind speed increased fire behavior in flashy fuels, Carroll said.

The two firefighters apparently deployed in one fire shelter. One individual received first- and second-degree burns to his hands and a superficial burn to his face with no airway impact. The other firefighter received superficial burns to his face, again with no apparent airway impact.  One firefighter has been treated and released, and the other is in a hospital for observation, he said. 

A special team has been ordered to investigate the accident.

Flames  reached 100 feet on the Alabaugh Canyon Fire overnight, Lowe said. The fire is burning along both sides of Highway 71, known locally as Cascade Road. The fire began about 7:45 p.m. Saturday.

Officials at the Northern Great Plains Joint Information Center said 50 or more homes have been evacuated. The American Red Cross Black Hills Area Chapter has established a shelter at the Mueller Community Center in Hot Springs for individuals and families who have been forced from their homes because of the fire. Those who have been evacuated are asked to register at the Mueller Center.

Officials with the Red Cross said that if someone is looking for a loved one who may have been evacuated, they should call 1-605-342-4010.

“If someone calls our number, we will take their name and number and the name of the individuals they are looking for. We will then call to the Mueller Center, find those people and have them call,” volunteer Tony Murphy said.

Additionally, the organization has provided meals and snacks to disaster victims and relief workers.  The Red Cross is assisting with mental-health and disaster-health services. Residents who have been affected by the fire who are in need of assistance are encouraged to call 342-4010.

Lowe said Sunday that the main issues in fighting the fire, which officials say was caused by lightning, are steep terrain, hot weather, winds -- and no rain in the forecast.

“When the fire aligned with the hot winds overnight, it burned with a vengeance,” Lowe said.

Lowe said crews are making progress on the 3,000-acre fire but have ordered lots of resources to bring the blaze under control.

“We’ve ordered two big air tankers and were hoping to get one,” Lowe said. “But all three Type 2 teams in the Rocky Mountain Region are out on fires. There are fires all over the West, and we are all competing for resources.”

FEMA director David Paulison approved South Dakota’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant at 3:44 a.m., within hours of receiving the state’s request.

The Alabaugh Canyon Fire was only one of a number of fires that ignited Saturday as a combination of record high temperatures, gusty winds and thunderstorms created critical fire conditions throughout the Black Hills area, especially in the Southern Hills.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

Other fires state officials reported to or assisted with Saturday included one in Placerville and another one in Fall River County. However, those fires were reported late Saturday night and little information is available yet.

Also, four fires ignited near Newcastle, Wyo., Saturday night in Weston County. Officials at the Northern Great Plains Joint Information Center will provide more information as needed.

Meanwhile, the following fires have been contained:

Hardy Fire -- Black Hills National Forest, near the Hardy Guard Station; .2 acre, BHNF and State of South Dakota resources responded.

Bismark Fire -- Five miles east of Custer in Custer State Park; .1 acre, BHNF, NPS and State of South Dakota resources responded.

Callen Springs -- Five miles west of Pringle, .75 acre, BHNF and Pringle Volunteer Fire Departments responded.

Cone Cabin -- Two miles west of Hot Springs, .5 acre, resources not known.

Union Hill -- Near Hill City.

Canyon Rim – Near Argyle, BHNF and State of South Dakota resources responded.

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