Storms, Flooding Wildfires in Dakotas

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Storms late Thursday and early Friday sparked small wildfires in western South Dakota and led to flash flooding in parts of North Dakota.

Officials say the biggest of the wildfires touched off by lightning Thursday in South Dakota was less than 1 1/2 acres.

The storms brought heavy rain, strong winds and hail to much of North Dakota. The National Weather Service says nearly 5 inches of rain fell in the Zap area of Mercer County, flooding county roads and farmland.

N.D. Highway 200 west of Zap was closed because of the flooding. State Transportation officials early Friday said it had reopened.

A flood watch remained posted for part of southeast North Dakota through Friday evening.

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