Officials say someone caused the 150-acre fire near Custer

Firefighters now hope to have blaze contained Monday

By Journal staff | Sunday, May 18, 2008

The forest fire that started Saturday 10 miles southwest of Custer is believed to have been caused by a person and is under investigation today, officials said.

Frank Carroll, public affairs officer for the Black Hills National Forest, said Sunday afternoon officials believe it was caused by a person because there had been no lightning in the area for several days.

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“We have really well-trained fire investigators who are looking into it,” he said.

As many as 150 firefighters today are battling the blaze, which was one-third contained by about 10 a.m.

Firefighters worked overnight to bulldoze fire lines around it, but a forecast of wind gusts of up to 28 mph this afternoon meant control of the fire was still uncertain, Carroll said.

The Freeland Fire is burning in grass and ponderosa pine.

No structures are threatened.

The public is asked to stay away from the fire area. Residents are cautioned that there is heavy fire-related traffic on Forest Road 273.

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Firefighter Cliff Moran, who is with the Bear Mountain handcrew, cuts down brush as he and other firefighters mop up the Freeland Fire near Custer on Sunday. Ryan Soderlin/Journal staff