Updated

Not hundreds, but thousands

It's obvious that masses are arriving for the rally. No way to roughly know how many, but it's certainly in the thousands...

Sturgis arrivals swarming in

Wildfires Explode

In Black Hills near Sundance

In what seems like a perennial signal from Earth to humans about climate change, another fire(s) breaks at the approach of the Sturgis Rally.

This one near Sundance. Now at 500-acres and increasing. Burning in a remote area across the South Dakota state line in Wyoming. Part of the Black Hills not far from Devils Tower, so smoke should be visible from there or on Interstate 90.

Fire out-of-control

Much of Rapid City covered in smoke from the fire. Spearfish in the northern Hills with air alert warnings of "unhealty" at airnow.gov.

It will be days at least before controlled.

The area still very dry with hot weather forecast for the week.

Early Arrival Trend

Hundreds arriving

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally still two weeks away. For the official opening, that is.

Already hundreds have arrived. Maybe thousands by the time you read this.

The 'Big One'

Some tenting already set up in Sturgis. Vendor work is ongoing. Though Sturgis is still the sleepy cowtown trying to horn in on some of the tourist action this time of year. That all changing as August approaches.

More updates coming.