EAFB, area firefighters team up to battle grassland fire

  • Published
  • By Steven J. Merrill
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Firefighters from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. and agencies from several surrounding communities teamed up to battle a grassland fire north of the base Nov.3.

Approximately 30 fire suppression vehicles and numerous firefighters worked into the night to extinguish the fire and prevent any injuries or further damage. The fire burned an area approximately four and one half miles long by one half mile wide. No structures were destroyed and one non life-threatening injury to an Ellsworth firefighter was reported.

The fire started on the base and quickly spread to private property. Technicians from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were conducting authorized training within established conditions in a designated area on the base at the time of the incident.

For more information, call the 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at (605) 385-5056, or the 28th BW Legal Office at (605) 385-2329.