NUMEROUS FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE CONTINUING THIS MORNING TO TRY AND CONTAIN THE POWER DAM ROAD FIRE THAT IS BURNING IN MELLETTE COUNTY. COURTESY OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE FIRE OVERNIGHT WAS LOCATED IN THE RIVER BOTTOM OF THE WHITE RIVER ON THE SOUTH BANK. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, THE TOWN OF OKATON WAS EVACUATED LATE LAST NIGHT, ALONG WITH SEVERAL RANCHES SOUTH OF THE WHITE RIVER. MELLETTE COUNTY SHERIFF LAFE GILDEMASTER SAID BASED ON WHAT HE IS SEEING, RESULTS ARE PROMISING IN MELLETTE COUNTY’S PORTION OF THE FIRE. SHERIFF GILDEMASTER CONTINUES TO ASK THAT EVEN IF THE FIRE DOES LESSEN IN ACTIVITY TODAY, THAT PEOPLE STILL AVOID THE AREA, AND LET THE FIRE PERSONNEL FINISH DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WITHOUT THE DISTRACTIONS OF EXTRA TRAFFIC. CHERRY TODD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE POSTED ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE THAT THEY HAD POLES BURN UP IN THE FIRE, AND THAT THE FAR NORTHWEST CORNER OF CHERRY-TODD SERVICE AREA WILL BE WITHOUT POWER FOR A PORTION OF THE DAY TODAY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THEIR OFFICE AT 856-4416. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UPDATES ON THE FIRE AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE TO US.