RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- Much of West River is in “extreme” fire danger today, while a rating of “very high” extends into the Black Hills and Central South Dakota.

Tessa Jaeger, public information officer for the Rapid City Fire Department said triple digit temperatures have a red flag warning in effect.

Jaeger said a pair of recent grassfires in Rapid City limits, one on the campus of South Dakota Mines and another just yesterday near East Boulevard, show it’s not just rural areas at risk.

RCFD crew members are currently deployed battling wildfires across the Interior West, but Jaeger said local crews are still staffed and ready to roll.

Jaeger also highlighted the effort of volunteer firefighters, describing their contributions and relationship with RCFD as very important.