NEAR EDGEMONT, S.D. (KTIV) -
Smokejumpers that parachuted into the Black Hills have helped put out a wildfire near Edgemont, S.D., though a second fire just a few miles away continued to burn.
Fire spokesman Brian Scott says the Parker Peak Fire was 100 percent contained Tuesday night with the help of about a dozen smokejumpers from Wyoming.
Officials say it was sparked on Sunday by lightning and burned about 800 acres.
A second fire, the White Draw fire, located about 12 miles northeast of Edgemont was 60 percent under control Wednesday morning. The fire has burned about 7,800 acres.
More than 320 personnel are on scene. Scott says no injuries have been reported, but about 22 homes have been threatened.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is requesting all flags in South Dakota be flown at half-staff on Thursday to honor the four airmen from North Carolina who died as they fought that wildfire in the Black Hills.
The four airmen from the North Carolina National Guard were fighting the White Draw fire when their C-130 tanker went down Sunday evening.
Those killed were Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal of Mooresville, N.C.; Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon of Charlotte, N.C.; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick of Belmont, N.C.; and Maj. Ryan S. David of Boone, N.C.
Two other airmen were injured in the crash.
Daugaard called their deaths a tragedy and directed flags be lowered from 8 a.m. to sunset.
