South Dakota receives federal aid for West Berry Trail fire
South Dakota will receive federal funds to help offset costs of fighting the West Berry Trail fire that began in late July and burned more than 3,800 acres of forest and grasslands.
State officials estimate that cost will reach about $1.5 million. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay 70 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs above $29,900 (the floor cost, based on a formula which includes the state’s five-year annual average cost for fighting fires).
Many factors contribute to the estimated cost: 88.800 hours of manpower were used to fight it; fire trucks were used from 52 different volunteer fire departments; six air tankers were used to drop slurry; and about $90,000 was spent on food.
South Dakota will receive federal aid because of that fire’s threat to life and property, says Frank Davis, director of the South Dakota Division of Forestry. It threatened four suburbs of Rapid City and actually burned into the city limits. Fifteen homes were lost in that fire; 40 automobiles; and 40 garages and barns.
The fire began on July 26. It was reported contained on July 30 and controlled on July 31.
