Custer park officials expect fire containment to increase

CUSTER, S.D. – Custer State Park officials expect containment of a South Dakota wildfire to increase after day shift crews complete their rotation.

The park said in a statement Friday that the fire remains at 50 per cent containment. The blaze has consumed than 84 square miles (218 square kilometres).

Officials say snow is predicted Saturday across the Black Hills. They have demobilized two heavy air tankers, but a helicopter is staying on scene for air recon.

Custer State Park is a top tourist destination just south of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the southwest part of the state. Officials say the park and roads within it remain closed.

The historic fire began Monday, and officials have attributed the cause of the blaze to a downed power line.