Jewel Cave National Monument

Lithograph Prescribed Fire

Date: October 25, 2025 

Operations: Started at 10:43 AM 

Location: Custer County, Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota 

Size: 145 Acres

The primary objective of the Lithograph Prescribed Fire is to reduce fuel loading. Prescribed fires help decrease the intensity of future wildfires and mimic the natural fire regimes of a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. These fires are conducted carefully under specific, approved conditions. Factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, along with short- and long-range weather patterns, are all considered when establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. 

The National Park Service personnel will assist with the prescribed fire, supported by other interagency resources. Traffic control will be implemented along Highway 16 to direct vehicles, as fire personnel will be working alongside the roadside. During the prescribed fire, smoke may be heavy at times along Highway 16 and in the town of Custer. Additionally, other impacts on park operations are expected, but efforts will be made to minimize visitor disruptions.

Wind Cave National Park

  Lookout Flats Prescribed Fire

Date: October 24, 2025 

Operations: Started at 10:30 AM 

Location: Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota 

Size: 1100 Acres

The primary objectives of the Lookout Flats Prescribed Fire are to reduce fuel loading, decrease encroachment of young ponderosa pine onto the prairie, and increase cover of native forbs. Prescribed fires help decrease the intensities of future wildfires and mimic the natural fire regimes of a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. 

Smoke may be heavy at times along highways 385 and 87 and visible from the surrounding region. Hwy 385 between the north and south access roads into the park headquarters will be closed, with traffic routed through the visitor center parking lot. 

The Lookout Point, Highland Creek, and Wind Cave Canyon Trails will be closed during firing operations and longer if necessary. For additional information, visit: www.nps.gov/wica/learn/news/09232025pr.htm

( Photo Credit: Wind Cave National Park ) 

Schenk Prescribed Fire

 

October 23, 2025 – The Bureau of Land Management is planning to conduct the Schenk prescribed fire project on Friday, October 24, weather dependent. Approximately 680 acres will be burned if conditions warrant.  The Schenk project area is located approximately 5 miles southwest of Jewel Cave National Monument. 

The objectives of this prescribed fire are to reduce forest density and hazardous fuels accumulations that could make suppression efforts difficult to control during the summer months. As well as remove insect-weakened trees and minimize the risk of unwanted wildfire that could move onto private lands. 

Prescribed fire is also used in multiple existing meadows to rejuvenate grasses, forbs, and shrubs, to benefit grazing, while reestablishing meadow boundaries by reducing pine, and spruce encroachment. 

We are asking forest visitors and hunters to avoid the area during this time. Smoke from the prescribed burn will be visible throughout the day of the burn and may linger for several days.

Firefighters will be on site throughout the day of ignition and will periodically patrol the burns for several days afterward. If you see smoke from this burn, please refrain from calling 911.

For more information contact Travis Lipp, Fire Management Specialist, at (605) 210-0741. 

###

Ellsworth Air Force Base Prescribed Fire

 US Fish and Wildlife Service- Prescribed Fire- Ellsworth AFB 

Date: October 23, 2025 

Operations: Start at 9:00 AM 

Location: Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Expect to burn in the northeast and north-central parts of Ellsworth AFB. 

Size: 300 Acres

Objectives: fuels reduction and prairie restoration. 

Media and Public Contact: Ellsworth Public Affairs Office at (605) 385-5056 with questions. 

Mount Rushmore National Memorial Prescribed Fire

Starling RX Information - Mount Rushmore

The National Park Service plans to conduct prescribed fire operations in the coming days, weather permitting. The operation will take place in an approximately 95-acre unit known as Starling Basin, located to the west and south of Highway 244 within the Mount Rushmore National Memorial boundary. 

For safety reasons, some areas of the park may be temporarily closed during the operation. Smoke will be visible in the area, and short-term smoke impacts are possible along Highway 244 and in nearby communities.

Operations are set to begin on October 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Location: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, south side of South Dakota Highway 244 at Blackberry Trailhead.  

Objectives: Reduction of hazardous fuels.

For more information, call: (605) 574-3139

                                                  (Photo Credit: The National Park Service)

October 19th, 2025

 Granite Fire 

Date Reported: October 19, 2025, at 9:44 p.m.

Location:  Lawrence County, 3 miles west of Sturgis, SD

Size:1.2 Acres

Jurisdiction: State

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Out as of 10/24/25 - updated: 10/30/25

October 1, 2025

Gertie Fire 

Date Reported: October 1, 2025, at 5:20 a.m.

Location:  Pennington County, 1 mile west of Hill City, SD

Size:18.3 Acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, state, and local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Contained