S.D. Firefighter Landowner Suspects Arson as Large Wildfire Cause
April 26, 2021
A former wildland firefighter who owns the land where a burn pile ignited a large wildfire near Rapid City says he believe the blaze was intentionally set.
In a 60-page report, the landowner told investigators he was “100% sure the burn pile fire was completely out.” The landowner says he’s experienced two suspicious fires since buying the property in 2018.
The Schroeder Fire broke out the morning of March 29 and burned about 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers).
At least one home and two outbuildings were destroyed in the fire. More than 150 personnel responded to the fire that caused more than 400 people to evacuate their homes near Rapid City and closed Mount Rushmore.