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Perkins County ranchers picking up the pieces after Divide Fire
Several ranchers in Perkins County are recovering after an explosive grass fire left them stunned after almost losing everything, Ranchers saying without the courageous action of firefighters – it would have been everything.
April 3, 2021
Without the courageous action of firefighters – it
could have been everything.
Max Matthews is now looking at recovering from a grass fire that has destroyed part of his property and some of his flock of sheep.
“It’s a wonderful life, but it has its’ moments where it can be pretty harsh too.”
The divide fire raced through Perkins county the same day the Schroeder Fire started west of rapid city. The fast moving grass fire was fueled by high winds and critically dry conditions, burning almost 12,000 acres in a 3 day period. Drought has plagued ranchers and farmers in the region since last year, along with an increasingly difficult economic situation.