Pennington County Fire Service

06/23/2026

First Responder Night:

Rapid City War Eagles Vs Mile High Eagles
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Saturday, June 27th, 2026

O’Harra Stadium, 561 E St Joseph St, Rapid City, SD 57701

Kickoff 6pm / Pre game: 4:00-5:15 PM

Dunham Field
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Explore Fire Apparatus and Law Enforcement Squad Cars

Fire and Rescue Equipment

Meet Sparky the Fire Dog!

Free Kids gift bags while supplies last

Tentative: Black Hills Life Flight Flyover during the National Anthem

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https://rapidcitywareagles.org/ Rapid City War Eagles on Facebook

06/23/2026

June 21–27 is .

Knowing what to do during a thunderstorm can help keep you and your family safe.

During a storm:

• Seek shelter immediately in a building or hard-topped vehicle.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Avoid using electronic equipment that puts you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid showering, bathing, doing laundry, or washing dishes.

Get more lightning safety tips at https://nfpa.social/4dQJEEq

06/22/2026

Fireworks Guidelines in Pennington County

Pennington County, SD – South Dakota Codified Law 34-37-16.1,
allows for the discharge of from June 27 to the first Sunday after the Fourth of July. This year, the last day to legally discharge fireworks is July 5, 2026. In addition, the Pennington County Sheriff's Office asks for compliance with a voluntary curfew of 11pm in the Rapid Valley area during this period.
The illegal use of fireworks is an offense punishable by a fine of up to $500, 30 days in jail, or both. Each community in Pennington County has city ordinances as to the specifics of which fireworks, if any, are allowed during this time period.

In Rapid City limits, fireworks are prohibited with the exception of novelty items like sparklers. The Rapid City Police Department, Rapid City Fire Department, and Rapid City Code Enforcement will have additional personnel on patrol, specifically addressing fireworks complaints in the city.

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office will have an increased presence in Rapid Valley. Following Rapid City ordinance, citations can be issued in the one-mile buffer zone area around Rapid City, to include parts of Rapid Valley. Citations may be issued after 11pm or any time of day when someone is reckless or negligent with fireworks.

South Dakota Codified Law prohibits the sale and discharge of fireworks within the boundaries of the Black Hills Fire Protection District. This includes an area west of Highway 79 from Hot Springs to approximately Interstate 90 exit 61. The boundary follows I-90 east of Black Hawk and Piedmont.

We ask the public to follow the law, be safe and courteous and clean up fireworks litter after discharge.
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https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/34-37-16.1

South Dakota Codified Law 34-37-16.1 allows for the discharge of from June 27 to the first Sunday after the . This year, the last day to legally discharge fireworks is July 5, 2026. In addition, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office asks for compliance with a voluntary curfew of 11pm in the Rapid Valley area during this period.

The illegal use of fireworks is an offense punishable by a fine of up to $500, 30 days in jail, or both. Each community in Pennington County has city ordinances as to the specifics of which fireworks, if any, are allowed during this time period.

In Rapid City limits, fireworks are prohibited with the exception of novelty items like sparklers. The Rapid City Police Department, Rapid City Fire Department & Rapid City Code Enforcement will have additional personnel on patrol, specifically addressing fireworks complaints in the city.

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office will have an increased presence in Rapid Valley. Following Rapid City ordinance, citations can be issued in the one-mile buffer zone area around Rapid City, to include parts of Rapid Valley. Citations may be issued after 11pm or any time of day when someone is reckless or negligent with fireworks.

South Dakota Codified Law prohibits the sale and discharge of fireworks within the boundaries of the Black Hills Fire Protection District. This includes an area west of Highway 79 from Hot Springs to approximately Interstate 90 exit 61. The boundary follows I-90 east of Black Hawk and Piedmont.

We ask the public to follow the law, be safe and courteous and clean up fireworks litter after discharge.

06/22/2026

🚧 Temporary Closures Near Mount Rushmore – July 2–3 🚧

The Black Hills National Forest will temporarily close Breezy Point and Wrinkled Rock Recreation Areas as well as Lafferty Gulch Road (NFSR 751) during the Mount Rushmore fireworks show on July 2–3, 2026.

These closures help manage traffic, support visitor safety, and protect the memorial and surrounding environment.

Exemptions include:
• Residents of Lafferty Gulch Road
• Individuals with an authorizing permit
• Emergency responders performing official duties

Signs, notices, and a barricade will be in place and removed once the closure ends.

Learn more and view the official closure order and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills See less

🚧 Temporary Closures Near Mount Rushmore – July 2–3 🚧

The Black Hills National Forest will temporarily close Breezy Point and Wrinkled Rock Recreation Areas as well as Lafferty Gulch Road (NFSR 751) during the Mount Rushmore fireworks show on July 2–3, 2026.

These closures help manage traffic, support visitor safety, and protect the memorial and surrounding environment.

Exemptions include:
• Residents of Lafferty Gulch Road
• Individuals with an authorizing permit
• Emergency responders performing official duties

Signs, notices, and a barricade will be in place and removed once the closure ends.

Learn more and view the official closure order and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills

06/20/2026

Interior Volunteer Fire Department is the "local volunteer fire department" not mentioned by name in this post by Badlands National Park.
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Badlands National Park Search and Rescue team members were recently out on the Notch Trail sharpening their rescue and carryout skills. Using ropes, a basket litter with a wheel, and strategic techniques for rugged terrain, the team practiced moving “Rescue Randy,” a training mannequin, safely through challenging conditions.

While not pictured in these images, we’re also grateful for our local volunteer fire department, whose partnership and dedication play an essential role in rescue efforts both in the park and throughout the surrounding community.

We hope the majority of our visitors never need these skills, but we’re ready to help if they do, and Rescue Randy continues to be our most patient training partner!

The best rescue is the one that never has to happen, so please hike smart, carry water, wear proper footwear, and know your limits. Trainings like this help ensure responders are ready when every second counts.

NPS Photos:

Photo 1: A group of five SAR team members with red or green helmets, gray gloves, and gray or neon green rescue NPS shirts, gathered around and holding a metal litter with a “Rescue Randy” mannequin lying down, strapped into the litter with green pants and exposed feet. There are other SAR
members and tan spiked buttes in the background.

Photo 2: Four SAR team members at the top of the Notch Trail above round wooden ladder rungs. Team members wear SAR team members with red or green helmets, gray gloves, and gray or neon green rescue NPS shirts and outdoor gear, with one in a bright green shirt standing out against the background of natural tan, craggy rock and blue sky and white thin clouds.

Photo 3: A group of four SAR team members clad in gray shirts, green pants, carefully moving along the edge of Notch trail with a wire litter basket positioned over a black spoked wheel which enables the litter to roll. The terrain and background are tan, textured peaked Badlands buttes.

06/18/2026

No statewide estimate on EMS funding shortfall

https://www.keloland.com/news/capitol-news-bureau/no-statewide-estimate-on-ems-funding-shortfall/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KELOLAND_News&fbclid=IwY2xjawShH15leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7TSOlZMANGTRTq2MdJN1DZXNKMKjXNpOzhtZZaSgQlgUKNx_po3ekQvDJDog_aem_oy5rMG5BrV7GDjrd1omALQ

A group of state lawmakers met Wednesday to open talks about ways to better reimburse ambulance services in South Dakota.

06/18/2026

New Seasonal Drought Outlook by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center

Expected drought development: Northwest, Northern California, Northern Plains into Minnesota, Central TX

Improvement: Southwest into Rockies/Great Basin, South/Southeast, Northeast, Lower Midwest

Otherwise, drought persists. http://drought.gov/forecasts U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) U.S. Department of Agriculture National Drought Mitigation Center

06/18/2026

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/png/current/current_wfounr_trd.png

06/18/2026

Next week leans dry (or normal) for most of the West with greater than normal precip chances for most of the rest of the US.

Temps: Warmer than normal likely for the West and South and cooler for the North-Central and Northeast.
http://Drought.gov National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)
NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center

06/17/2026

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today, Wednesday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. MDT for portions of southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.

Strong northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 40 to 55 mph, combined with low humidity and very dry fuels will create critical fire weather conditions.

Much of southwestern South Dakota has gone more than two weeks without meaningful rainfall, and ongoing drought conditions continue to increase fire danger.

Please avoid any outdoor burning and use extreme caution with anything that could cause a spark.

Fires can start quickly and spread rapidly in these conditions.