Black Elk fire kept to six acres

With the help of several helicopters dropping water, a wildfire that started Thursday in the Black Elk Wilderness about eight miles northeast of Custer was brought under control over the weekend.
The blaze, dubbed the Lost Cabin Fire, was located about one mile northwest of Black Elk Peak and apparently started Thursday night. It was reported on Friday that GPS estimated the size of the burned area to be about 6.5 acres in size and was burning in heavy dead and downed timber.  
Because of the fire, Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 was closed and remained closed on Friday from the intersection of Trail No. 9 to the Palmer Gulch Trailhead until the fire was out.
On Friday two Blackhawk helicopters from the South Dakota National Guard began dipping water out of Sheridan Lake to dump on the flames. A Type 3 helicopter was also used in the operation.
A hand crew of about 20 firefighters worked throughout the day Friday to secure the perimeter and it was reported at 5 p.m. that the fire was 50 percent contained.
“There is a lot of heavy downed fuel in the interior that continues to burn down,” reported U.S. Forest Service public affairs officer Scott Jacobson, “and smoke will remain visible as these fuels are consumed.”
He said crews would remain on scene to mop-up and monitor through the weekend.
No cause for the fire has been stated.