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.
