South Dakota Opens Single-Engine Air Tanker Base in Wall to Speed Wildfire Response
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden on October 16 cut the ribbon on a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) base in Wall. The governor's office said the new base will shorten the time it takes to respond to wildfires, helping protect the Black Hills, the Cheyenne River Valley, and other forest areas.
Single-engine air tankers can haul up to 800 gallons of water or fire retardant to deploy at a point of attack. Rhoden, who noted he has been a volunteer fireman his whole life, said his administration continues to fight to ensure firefighters have the resources they need to protect communities, and that the new base will play a key role in mitigating wildfires.
Earlier this year, Rhoden cut the ribbon on two South Dakota Wildland Fire facilities in Hot Springs and Rapid City, and signed Executive Order 2026-10 to preapprove state wildland fire assistance and resources for rural fire departments outside the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 单引擎空中灭火机向野火投水（资料图，大沼泽地国家公园）· 美国国家公园管理局 Josh Pargas 摄，公共领域（维基共享资源）
