Lead Volunteer Fire Department

08/28/2026

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department was privileged and honored to es**rt the Lead-Deadwood Golddigger Football team to their season opener tonight vs. Wall Eagles at Historic Ferguson Field.

Good luck boys.

Go Diggers!

08/26/2026

Welcome Back, Lead-Deadwood Students!

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department wants to wish all Lead-Deadwood students, teachers, and staff a fantastic start to the new school year. Whether you are walking into your very first day of kindergarten or your last first day as a senior, we are excited for you and everything this year has in store. Here is to a year full of learning, growth, and great memories.

As students head back to school, we also want to take a moment to share some important safety reminders for everyone in our community, whether you are a driver, a parent, or a student.

Traffic Note:
- With the completion of renovations at Lead-Deadwood Middle School, there is a new student drop off lane on South Main Street in front of the school. Expect higher student and vehicle traffic on the block between CC Curan and Arlington during drop off and pick up times, and please use extra caution in this area.

For Drivers:
- Slow down in school zones and stay alert for children walking or biking to school.
- Always stop for school buses when their red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, from both directions, unless separated by a median.
- Watch closely near bus stops, especially in low light during early morning drop offs.

For Students:
- Arrive at your bus stop a few minutes early and wait a safe distance back from the road.
- Stay seated and listen to your bus driver while riding.
- If you are walking or biking to school, use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

For Parents:
- Review your child's route to school or the bus stop with them, especially if it is new this year.
- Make sure backpacks and clothing are visible, particularly if your student walks in early morning or evening light.

We are proud to serve our community, and that includes helping keep our students safe as they head back to the classroom. Have a wonderful school year.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

08/22/2026

***PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***

Current Fire Restrictions: City of Lead, Lawrence County, and Black Hills National Forest

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department wants to make sure residents and visitors have a clear picture of the fire restrictions currently in place across our area. There are three separate sets of restrictions right now, and which one applies depends on where you are.

Over the last couple weeks the LVFD and other Fire Departments in our region have been responding to a wide variety of fire related incidents including fire pits, smoke reports, and lightning strikes.

--- City of Lead
The City of Lead has enacted a temporary burn ban, effective until further notice, due to extremely dry conditions and increased wildfire risk. Within city limits, campfires, bonfires, backyard fire pits, recreational fires, and the burning of trash, yard waste, brush, leaves, or tree debris are all prohibited. Propane and natural gas grills remain allowed, as do charcoal grills used only for cooking, provided they are attended at all times.

--- Lawrence County
Lawrence County has enacted Resolution #2026-19, a countywide burn ban covering all unincorporated areas outside of municipalities and federal land. This ban prohibits open fires, outdoor smoking, unshielded chainsaws and generators, welding or open flame torches, explosives, and off road vehicle travel outside established roads.

--- Black Hills National Forest
The Forest Service has implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions across all National Forest System lands in the Black Hills, effective since July 27th and remaining in place until December 27th unless lifted earlier. These restrictions closely mirror the county's and apply to anyone recreating, camping, or traveling on Forest Service land.

Please take a moment to know which restrictions apply to your location before you strike a match, start a fire, or head out onto Forest Service roads. These measures are in place to protect our homes, our neighbors, and the Black Hills we all care about.

If you see smoke or fire, report it to 911 immediately.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

08/08/2026

At approximately 11:19 a.m. on Saturday August 8th, the Lead Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a Signal 1 single motorcycle accident approximately four miles south of Lead on Highway 14A/US 85 near N. Rochford Road.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that a single motorcycle had left the roadway. The patient sustained serious injuries. First arriving firefighters performed immediate life saving measures to stabilize the patient and requested Black Hills Life Flight.

While still on scene, at approximately 11:47 a.m. LVFD was paged to a second, unrelated motorcycle crash near mile marker 32 on US Highway 14A/85. One crew from LVFD was released from the scene at N. Rochford Road and responded directly, where they found that a second motorcycle had left the roadway. This patient also sustained serious injuries.

The crew remaining at N. Rochford Road prepared a landing zone for Black Hills Life Flight. Firefighters used Rescue 4 to wet the landing zone, mitigating dust and increasing safety for the incoming aircraft.

Firefighters worked alongside responding EMS crews and law enforcement to transfer both patients to higher levels of care via Black Hills Life Flight and Northern Hills Monument Health Ambulance.

Lead Units: Rescue 4 and Squad 7 responded to the incidents.

Assisting Agencies: Monument Health Northern Hills Ambulance, Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and Black Hills Life Flight.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings a significant increase in riders on our roadways. We know accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. The Lead Volunteer Fire Department has been focusing training on response specific to these types of incidents. As you enjoy the Black Hills and the Rally, please maintain control of your vehicle, follow traffic laws, and adjust your driving or riding to road conditions.

Stay alert and stay safe.

08/05/2026

***Public Service Announcement***

The City of Lead has also issued a burn ban.

See details below.

Send a message to learn more

08/01/2026

***PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***

Lawrence County Burn Ban Now in Effect

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department wants residents and visitors to be aware that Lawrence County has enacted a countywide burn ban, effective immediately, under Resolution #2026-19.

This action was taken by the Lawrence County Commission due to the ongoing threat wildfires pose to the health, safety, and property of county residents.

What's Prohibited:
- 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 restriction applies to all campgrounds and picnic areas.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
- Operating an internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw, generator, or ATV, without a properly installed and maintained spark arresting device.
- Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
- Using explosives, including fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within ten feet of the vehicle.

Violating SDCL 34-35-15, which governs burning within the Black Hills Fire Protection District.

Exemptions:
- Persons holding Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48, or those with a written determination from a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required.
- Federal, State, or Local officers, and members of an organized rescue or firefighting resource acting in the performance of official duty.
- This ban applies countywide, excepting lands within municipal boundaries and lands under federal jurisdiction, which remain subject to their own applicable regulations.

Why This Matters:

These measures are necessary given current conditions and will remain in effect until the Lawrence County Commission determines that the wildfire threat has abated. We ask everyone in our community to take this seriously and to help us prevent a wildfire before it starts.

If you see a fire, report it immediately by calling 911.

Lead Volunteer Fire Department

07/29/2026

At approximately 2:39 p.m. on July 28th, the Lead Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a Signal 1 single motorcycle accident approximately two miles south of Lead on Highway 14A/US 85.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that a single motorcycle had left the roadway. The rider was found breathing, alert, and conscious. The patient was assessed for significant injuries, stabilized, and transported via ambulance. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

Lead Units: Rescue 4 and Squad 7 responded to the incident.

Assisting Agencies: Monument Health Northern Hills Ambulance, Lead Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Lawrence County Emergency Management, and South Dakota Highway Patrol.

As we move closer to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an increase in riders on our roadways is a certainty. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, which is why we cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining control of your vehicle, following traffic laws, adjusting your driving or riding to match road conditions including weather related changes like rain, and avoiding distractions. We also encourage every rider to wear a helmet. In this incident, it made a real difference.

Stay alert and stay safe.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

07/27/2026

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on Monday, July 27th, the Lead Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Glendale Drive for the report of a vehicle fire. While en route, crews were advised that the passengers were safely out of the vehicle and that the flames had been extinguished.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a white dump truck that had caught fire and was leaking fluids onto the ground. The driver had already extinguished the fire using an onboard ABC fire extinguisher. Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to identify additional hot spots in the engine compartment and applied foam concentrate from a water can carried on Rescue 4 to cool the remaining heated components. Spilled fluid around the vehicle was cleaned up and the scene was made safe.

Lead Unit: Rescue 4 responded to the incident.

Assisting Agency: Lead Police Department.

This incident is a strong reminder of why onboard fire extinguishers matter and why knowing how to use one matters just as much. The driver's quick action with a properly maintained extinguisher kept a vehicle fire from becoming something far more serious. We encourage every driver to carry a working fire extinguisher and to take the time to learn how to use it before an emergency happens.

That preparedness carries extra weight today. With Stage 2 fire restrictions now in effect across the Black Hills National Forest due to severe fire weather and extended drought, conditions are primed for small incidents to grow quickly. Equipment that is properly maintained and operators who know how to respond can make all the difference in protecting lives, property, and the land we all share.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.

07/25/2026

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Take Effect Monday, July 27

The Lead Volunteer Fire Department is asking all residents and visitors to be aware that Stage 2 fire restrictions will go into effect across the Black Hills National Forest on Monday, July 27th. This action is being taken due to persistent severe fire weather and extended drought conditions affecting our area.

Under Stage 2 restrictions, the following are prohibited:
- Open fires, including campfires, charcoal barbecues, grills, and stoves, unless the device is fueled by liquid or gas and used in a cleared area within three feet of the device.
- Smoking outdoors, except within enclosed vehicles or buildings.
- Welding or use of open flame torches, including acetylene torches.
- Use or possession of explosives.
- Off road travel by motorized vehicles outside of established roads and trails.

The following remain permitted:
- Stoves, grills, and lanterns fueled by propane or other LPG that meet manufacturer safety specifications.
- Motor vehicle travel on designated Forest Service roads and trails.
- Hiking, biking, and walking.

These restrictions exist to protect the safety of our community and the natural resources we all depend on. Violations can result in fines up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, along with possible jail time.

Before heading into the forest, please secure chains, check tire pressure, and confirm your brakes are in good working order.

If you see a fire, report it immediately by calling 911.

For official updates, visit the Black Hills National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/alerts or call (605) 673-9200.

We ask everyone to stay alert, follow these rules, and do their part to help prevent wildfires in our community.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our forest, our homes, and our neighbors safe.

07/22/2026

At approximately 6:37 AM on Saturday, July 18, the Lead Volunteer Fire Department was requested by the Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department for Mutual Aid to a fully involved structure fire just outside of Deadwood, South Dakota on Highway 14A.

Upon arrival, firefighters from Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department discovered a single-story home fully involved, with fire growing to nearby grass. The structure was located next to a large hay field and other structures that housed livestock. Firefighters from Lead Volunteer Fire Department responded to provide water and manpower and were later released from the scene.

At approximately 10:16 AM on Saturday, July 18, the Lead Volunteer Fire Department was again requested by the Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department for Mutual Aid to the same structure, as it had rekindled and was again fully involved. Firefighters from Lead responded to provide water and manpower.

There were no injuries reported.

Lead Units: Engine 3, Tender 5, Brush 6, and Squad 7 responded to the incident.

Agencies assisting the Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department were Spearfish Fire Department, South Dakota Wildland Fire, Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Monument Health Northern Hills Ambulance, Lawrence County Emergency Management, and Black Hills Energy.

The LVFD is proud to be able to assist our neighboring departments and thankful for the teamwork that takes place on these incidents.

If you are interested in learning more about or joining the LVFD, please call (605) 559-1313, message us on Facebook, or stop by our station at 622 Hearst Ave. in Lead, SD.