Fire information officers say approximately 300 personnel are now battling the Myrtle Fire burning about 1 mile east of Pringle in Custer County. They estimate the fire at 7,500 acres and say it is 15 percent contained. No homes have been lost, but law enforcement has issued active evacuation orders to 242 residences in the Argyle Road area.

 The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Custer Middle School to assist displayed residents. In addition, the Red Cross and Fall River County set up a cooperative evacuation at the Mueller Center in Hot Springs on Friday. Several road closures remain in effect: Highway 385 from Pringle to Wind Cave, Beaver Creek Road, Rifle Pit Road,Bowman Ridge and Flynn Creek Road at Cold Springs Cemetery. Officials say Argyle Road is closed off of 385 by Hot Springs and Highway 89, for both ends of the loop.

Custer County Sheriff Rick Wheeler and Custer County Emergency Coordinator Mike Carter say they don't anticipate the Myrtle Fire to threaten the city of Custer.

-Julie Oberlander