9 A.M. MYRTLE FIRE UPDATE

Nothing much has changed from yesterday's fire update. The Myrtle Fire is still at 10,080 acres and 40 percent contained. Crews have made excellent progress with securing portions of the fire and have had favorable weather. They have an estimated containment date for Wednesday, July 25.

There will be a community meeting tonight for all those affected by the Myrtle Fire (including residents in Pringle, Hot Springs, Custer, and Argyle) at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the community building next to the fire station in Pringle.

Weather: Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon. Temperatures will reach the low 90s today with a minimum relative humidity of 30% in the early afternoon and then increasing in the late afternoon as showers and thunderstorms develop. Winds will be light and variable during the early part of the day and then become an east wind in the afternoon.

 Evacuations and Closures: All evacuations will be lifted, and all roads will be open as of 1:00 p.m. today. Fire crews will be continuing to work in the area, and residents are asked to use caution while traveling on roads as they open to the public. Should conditions change, a pre-evacuation notice could be reinstated. For current information on the status of evacuations and road closures please contact Custer County at (605) 673-8105 or Fall River County at http://fallriver.sdcounties.org/.  Utility companies have restored power to all primary residences in the area. A Temporary Area Closure, issued by the Black Hills National Forest, remains in effect for the Myrtle Fire area. Wind Cave National Park remains closed until further notice.

Public Safety: Residents returning to their homes, and those traveling on roads near the fire, are asked to use caution when driving as there are still fire vehicles in the area. Smoke may continue to impact residents and visitors in the area of the fire in the afternoon. Please use caution when driving in areas of smoke.