Community, state fighting Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation fire

A large grassland fire on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation is being fought.

The 17-mile-long fire forced the Takini School in Howes to evacuate on Monday as it approached the community.

Chief Charles Red Crow helped the school evacuate. He said when evacuating children, the key is to show a calm face.

“You know it’s kind of like a duck on water, you know? You see the duck being casual on the water, but underneath their legs are going like a million miles an hours. That’s kind of our thought process internally," Red Crow said. "What can we do? How can we get this done? Where can we take them? How are we gonna reassure them that everything is fine? On the surface we have to maintain that calmness so we don’t escalate what they’re feeling, and then that would escalate what we’re feeling. And that’s not a good formula."

Currently, only 30% of the fire’s perimeter is contained.

Gov. Larry Rhoden announced via X that the state sent two Blackhawk helicopters and a wildland fire crew.

Several area volunteer fire departments are responding as well.

For those in the area, officials say the Cherry Creek School gym is available for shelter.