"The rapid growth from 300 to 1,091 acres in less than 24 hours, followed by swift containment within the same day, highlights the effectiveness of the response and the potential for rapid escalation in similar natural fire events."
The Van Meter wildfire, located in Jones County, South Dakota, was first discovered on September 8, 2026, at 20:14 local time. By the morning of September 9, the fire had expanded from an initial 300 acres to 1,091 acres, with no containment reported. At 22:00 on September 9, the fire was fully contained at 100% with 74 personnel on the scene, exhibiting minimal, flanking, and backing behavior. The incident remains active but fully contained, with an estimated cost of $40,000 and a natural cause. The jurisdictional agency is not specified.
Official source description: 16 Miles N from Murdo, SD
Minimal; Flanking; Backing
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Nearest reporting station: Pierre. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
The fire is currently fully contained and exhibiting minimal behavior; standard wildfire safety precautions remain advised for the surrounding area.
IRWIN ID: {75EC3448-C107-4A13-A99C-03F03E3DEC10}
Discovered: Sep 8, 2026
Cause: Natural
Est. Cost to Date: $40,000
Coordinates: 44.0747, -100.8275
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in SD.
The Van Meter Fire has burned 1,091 acres as of September 9, 2026.
Yes, the Van Meter Fire is fully contained (100%).
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Van Meter Fire is burning in Jones, SD.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Van Meter Fire remains active.
Real-time map, acreage, and containment for every major U.S. wildfire, updated from official NIFC data.
View Live Map →