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Park Fire Probe Concludes Conditions Were Underestimated

Associated Press0

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A report on a wildfire in Wind Cave National Park in April concludes the park underestimated how dry conditions would affect efforts to control an escaped fire.

The Cold Brook Fire began as a prescribed burn. It escaped containment in high winds and grew to about 10 square miles. There were no injuries, and no damage to structures or private property.

Chief Interpreter Tom Farrell said at the time that weather conditions were appropriate for a prescribed burn. The report by an interagency team at the request of the National Park Service acknowledged that and said staff had necessary training. But investigators also found there weren’t enough resources on the fire’s eastern side to control the escaped fire.

Park Superintendent Vidal Davila says officials want to learn from the incident.

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