PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) - A fire that spread to more than 11,500 acres on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation destroyed at least 2 structures and forced evacuations of several reservation communities.
The fire began at 5:18 p.m. Friday and burned northwest of Pine Ridge village and was heading toward the Oglala district Friday evening.
Oglala Sioux Tribe President John Yellow Bird Steele said in a news release that residents of the Slim Buttes, Calico, Tobacco, Number 4 Payabaya, Lakeside and Oglala communities were ordered to evacuate Friday evening.
The National Weather Service says a red flag warning signaling critical fire weather conditions is in effect through 11 p.m. Saturday for all of western South Dakota, with the expectation of hot afternoon temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds.
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