Johnson Siding Volunteer Fire Department

Last night we were able to get recertification on our BLS ( Basic Life Support ). Big thank you to Preston, for setting this up and teaching us.

Even with a busy week of calls, we still found sometime to do some structure fire training.

Juvenile arrested after early morning shooting

Pennington County, SD – A shooting at an overnight gathering of juveniles in Pennington County, has resulted in the arrest of one male teenager. There were no reported injuries and there is no continuing threat to the public.

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office received a call of shots fired in or near a residence on West Highway 44 at 1 am, Sunday, October 13, 2024. The juveniles fled and were detained by 1:20 am on West Highway 44 near Norris Peak Road. After interviewing those involved, one juvenile has been arrested and taken to the Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center.

We thank Rapid City Police Department & South Dakota Highway Patrol for their assistance with this incident. The investigation continues with consideration for additional charges and/or arrests. If anyone in the public has information, please contact Investigator Rio Shearer at (605) 394-6115.

* The charges are merely accusations and the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Any additional details regarding this case can be obtained from the Pennington County State’s Attorney and/or court records as appropriate.

Today the JSVFD assisted Pennington County Search and Rescue with a Drone Recovery.

News update.
We are receiving many calls asking about all the law enforcement in the area Last night. All I can tell you is that JSFD along with RC medic 5 assisted multiple law enforcement agencies in what was reported as an active shooter in the Johnson Siding area. Their were no injuries, no danger to the public and all suspects are in custody thanks to the great work of law enforcement.

Johnson Siding got paged out around 10:30 last night to a wildland fire NE of Hwy 385 and Sheridan Lake rd. Forest service, state, RCFD and many VFD's are working to mop up the 3.6 acer fire.

Black Hills National Forest Supervisor Shawn Cochran has signed a Stage 2 Fire & Smoking Restrictions Special Order for the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota & Wyoming, effective Friday Oct. 4, 2024, through Dec. 25, 2024, unless rescinded.

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health, safety, and natural resources by preventing wildfires during a period of extreme fire danger. Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the ignition of any fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, unless the device is solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned on and off.

Western SD and eastern WY are in a period of drought forecasted to increase in intensity. Fuels are extremely dry and susceptible to wildfire outbreak. Implementing Stage 2 Fire restrictions allows the public to recreate in the Black Hills National Forest while still enacting preventative measures to reduce the risk of human caused wildfires.

“Persistent long-term drought conditions, combined with the lack of moisture, have dramatically increased the fire danger,” said Scott Jacobson, Black Hills National Forest Public Affairs Officer. “Conditions are ripe for large fire potential, so people need to be extremely careful in the Forest.”

Special Order 118 Prohibitions include:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, unless the device is solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned on and off (this includes in developed Forest Service campgrounds and picnic areas).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
3. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
4. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
5. Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
6. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest Service roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the motor vehicle.
7. Violating South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) § 34-35-15 and/or Wyoming Statute 35-9-301 concerning burning, fires or which is for the purpose of preventing, or restricting the spread of fires.

Exemptions Include:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required.
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

For a digital version of this Order and map, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5117120.

Silver Mountain Fire

This week also included some Wildland training.

Smoke is drifting into the Rockerville and Black Hills areas from other fires. We continue to be in red flag conditions. If you see a distinct column of smoke or see fire, please let us know. Otherwise expect to smell smoke in the area.

The crew got a little structure fire training in tonight at our burn building.

Monday Evening, JSVFD assisted Doty VFD with the Miller Flat Fire.

We did Structure Fire Operations during our Saturday training today. Big thank you to the RCFD Station 5 for coming to train with us!

Last night we aided Pennington County Search and Rescue with a boat recovery at Sheridan Lake.