South Dakota governor expands rural fire response amid drought

South Dakota governor expands rural fire response amid drought

The Qury Fire near Custer, South Dakota, pictured on March 12, 2026. (Courtesy of Qury Fire information page)South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden authorized state firefighting resources to support local governments in fire suppression. Volunteer fire departments, often supported in part by local governments and fundraising, supply the first responders for blazes across most of South Dakota’s land area. “As a volunteer firefighter, I underst…