Among several fires that kept emergency crews across Moody County busy over the weekend, a house fire late Saturday night left the home of Francis Wakeman a likely total loss.
Wakeman and his son, Rufus, were both home and asleep when the fire started, possibly on the west side of the house, Wakeman said. The two were able to escape safely.
The fire reignited on Sunday, prompting firefighters to return to the scene.
Wakeman, a spokesperson for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and former owner of the Hunkake Cafe, said he and Rufus are thankful for the support they’ve received.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support both from the Tribe and the broader community,” he said.
Fire crews across the county were called to several fires over the weekend, many of them grass fires made worse by dry conditions, high winds, and warm temperatures.
“High winds and 80-90 degree temperatures are not helping,” said Colman Fire Chief Jason Landis. “There is a burn ban still in effect when there is a red flag warning, which is determined by the National Weather Service.”
Landis emphasized that even with recent rains, the region is still dealing with the impacts of several years of drought.
As of Monday morning, a Red Flag Warning remained in effect for much of eastern South Dakota, including Moody County. Counties included in the warning are Beadle, Kingsbury, Brookings, Gregory, Jerauld, Sanborn, Miner, Lake, Moody, Brule, Aurora, Davison, Hanson, McCook, Minnehaha, Charles Mix, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Lincoln, Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay and Union.
Forecasts this week call for continued southerly winds between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.