Temperatures were well into the triple digits winds were high and humidity levels were incredibly low on the afternoon of June 29, 2002.  In the end, the Grizzly Gulch fire burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed seven homes.  State officials said Black Hills Power was to blame for the fire because trees in the company's right of way shorted against power lines.  An out of court settlement was later reached, giving the state and federal governments $5.9 million dollars.

Julie Oberlander