Massive Wildfire Near Wessington Springs Burns 350+ Acres

Eight Fire Departments Battle Blaze Amid 50 MPH Winds

  • PHOTO COURTESY HELEN HUISMAN Smoke from the weekend wildfire makes its way toward the home of Rod and Helen Huisman. Eight area fire departments were able to contain the blaze, preventing any major damage to structures in the area.
    PHOTO COURTESY HELEN HUISMAN Smoke from the weekend wildfire makes its way toward the home of Rod and Helen Huisman. Eight area fire departments were able to contain the blaze, preventing any major damage to structures in the area.
  • An aerial view of the scorched fields and pasture illustrates the massive size of the fire, over 350 acres. PHOTO COURTESY KIRK LUYMES
    An aerial view of the scorched fields and pasture illustrates the massive size of the fire, over 350 acres. PHOTO COURTESY KIRK LUYMES
  • A scorched ditch at the perimeter of Gisi Pheasant Farm shows just how close the fire came to the bird enclosures. PHOTO COURTESY WSVFD
    A scorched ditch at the perimeter of Gisi Pheasant Farm shows just how close the fire came to the bird enclosures. PHOTO COURTESY WSVFD
  • Firemen spray hot spots on Sunday, March 23, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY WSVFD
    Firemen spray hot spots on Sunday, March 23, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY WSVFD
  • A large blaze consumes a tree belt. PHOTO COURTESY HELEN HUISMAN
    A large blaze consumes a tree belt. PHOTO COURTESY HELEN HUISMAN
    On Saturday, March 22 at 4:01 p.m., the Wessington Springs and Alpena Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched to a large wildfire west of Wessington Springs on 372nd Avenue and SD Highway 34.“It was huge. We couldn’t see anything in town but once we got to Lookout Hill on Highway 34 it was massive, all smoke,” said WSVFD Fire Chief Eric Schroeder. “We instantly called White La...

    To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.

     

    Subscribe to the online newsletter:

    * indicates required

    Intuit Mailchimp