April 23, 2017

Ferguson Fire

• Weston County, WY, approximately 10 miles southeast of Newcastle and 2 miles northwest of Elk Mountain Lookout
• On private land
• Size: approx. 2 acres
• Estimated containment @ 3:00 p.m. 4/23/17
• Estimated control @ 4:00 p.m. 4/23/17
• Local resources on scene
• Cause: human

April 19, 2017

Natick Fire - Updated 2:12 p.m. 4-19-2017

• Reported @ 5:09 p.m. 4/17/2017
• Located on Bessey Ranger District, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, approx.10 miles southeast of Thedford, NE near Natick Campground
• Size: approx. 202 acres
• 100% contained @ 11:15 p.m. 4/19/2017
• Engines & personnel are being released from scene, with some resources remaining for monitoring and mop-up.
•  Cause unknown, under investigation
• Forest Roads 212 & 203 are now open.
• Natick Campground remains closed until tomorrow. Call Bessey Ranger District @ (308)533-2257 for closure information.

April 18, 2017

Natick Fire

• Reported @ 5:09 p.m. 4/17/2017
• Located on Bessey Ranger District, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, approximately 10 miles southeast of Thedford, NE near Natick Campground
• Size: approx. 202 acres
• 50% contained @ 1:48 p.m. 4/18/2017
• Federal and local VFD resources on scene
• Cause unknown, under investigation
• Natick Campground remains closed.
• Portions of Forest Roads 212 & 203 are closed.  Call Bessey Ranger District at (308)533-2257 for closure information.

April 17, 2017 UPDATED

Updated @ 11:11 a.m. 04/18/2017

Natick Fire

• Located on Bessey Ranger District, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, approximately 10 miles southeast of Thedford, NE near Natick Campground
• Size: approx. 300 acres
• Federal and local VFD resources responding
• Cause: Unknown, under investigation

North Dismal Fire

• Located approximately 14 miles South of Thedford, NE
• On private property
• Size: approx. 100 acres
• Federal, State & local VFD resources responding
• Cause: vehicle 

April 9, 2017

K bar S Fire, Updated 5:35 p.m.

• Located along Old Hill City Road outside of Keystone, SD, near K bar S
• On private property
• .1 acre, Single Tree
• Contained @ 4:30 p.m., controlled @ 5:15 p.m.
• Federal and local VFD resources responding
• Cause: lightning

April 7, 2017

Aspen Hollow Fire

• Located between Deadwood, SD & Sturgis, SD along Pillar Peak Road
• .1 acre
• State resources responded
• Contained @ 12:45 p.m., Controlled @ 1:00 p.m.
• Human Caused

Custer State Park Prescribed Fire

   

 

Interagency – News Release

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2017

Contact:   Jeni Lawver, (605) 393-8011 or cell (605) 381-7232, South Dakota Wildland Fire Division

 

 

Prescribed Fire to be Ignited in Custer State Park

 

CUSTER, S.D.-  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Wildland Fire Division and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks are planning to ignite the Coolidge Creek prescribed fire on Thursday, April 6. Mop up and monitoring will continue the following days.

 

Firefighters are planning on burning approximately 15 acres. This project is located in Custer State Park, along Coolidge Creek in the vicinity of the Grace Coolidge Campground, the Park Office and the Coolidge Store along Hwy. 16A.

 

Objectives of the burn are to improve native grass growth and to provide safe and quality training for the firefighting staff. Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure prescribed fire conditions align with management objectives for the burn.

 

Prescribed fire is used to maintain healthy native vegetation and is needed to prevent the encroachment of invasive species. Fire also reduces the hazardous buildup of debris and dead vegetation which can fuel wildfires.

 

Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas, and can linger for several days after ignition has been completed. Fire crews will secure, patrol and monitor fire lines as appropriate for public and firefighter safety. For more information on smoke management visit:  http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/p/smoke-management.html.

 

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit SDDA online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SD Ag Chat podcasts can be found in the Ag News section at http://sdda.sd.gov/news. You may subscribe, free of charge, through Google Play Music, iTunes or from https://sdagchat.podbean.com/.

 

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks mission is to provide sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities through responsible management of our state’s parks, fisheries and wildlife by fostering partnerships, cultivating stewardship and safely connecting people with the outdoors.

April 1, 2017

Hidden Valley Fire

• Located near shooting range @ Hidden Valley, west side of Rapid City
• .4 acres
• State resources responded
• Contained at 3:13 p.m.
• Cause Unknown, Under Investigation