Rancher Fire (SD)
Satellite image: NASA MODIS (infrared — active fire in orange/red, from yesterday).
Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).
Quick facts
- Location
- 2 Miles E from Evergreen, SD
- Cause
- Natural
- Personnel
- 10
- Complexity
- Type 4 Incident
- Fuel
- Timber (Grass and Understory)
- Behavior
- Moderate
- Jurisdiction
- BIA · Federal land
Burning near Porcupine, South Dakota, within Oglala Lakota county, the Rancher Fire has maintained an average daily growth of approximately 140 acres per day over the course of five days, expanding across 698 acres of federal timber, grass, and understory land. Located two miles east from Evergreen, the active wildfire is currently managed as a Type 4 Incident by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
With 75 percent containment achieved, the fire exhibits moderate behavior supported by 10 personnel. Operations to suppress the natural fire have accumulated a cost of $250,000 under a Type 4 Incident Commander.
This incident unfolds during the region's typical fire season, which runs from June to October. Nationally, the broader fire context shows 2,921,034 hectares burned so far in 2026, marking a figure 47 percent below the two-decade average.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in South Dakota for 5 days. So far it has affected roughly 698 acres — about 2.8 km². About 75% of the perimeter is contained — over half is secured, though hotspots remain.
In the Northern Hemisphere, wildfire activity usually peaks during the warm, dry months — roughly May through October.
The bigger picture in United States
Across United States, roughly 2,921,034 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 47% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
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Community reports
Reports from people near the fire · unverified
Not official emergency information. In an emergency, contact fire services/authorities.
More fires in South Dakota
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