LEMMON - A prescribed burn started by the U.S. Forest Service southeast of Hettinger, N.D., has escaped containment lines and scorched about 14,000 acres of grassland in South Dakota's Perkins County.

No injuries or structure damage have been reported, but crews are still working to suppress the Pautre Fire.

The Forest Service says the fire escaped Wednesday as ignition operations were ending. Winds carried the fire east and south as crews tried to contain the blaze on the Grand River National Grasslands.

Grand River District Ranger Paul Hancock says the Forest Service regrets that the burn escaped and affected so many people.

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