Rapid City, SD - The Mystic Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to ignite up to 600 acres (over the next two weeks) on the Victoria Project beginning Monday, January 27, 2020 depending on weather. Smoke will be visible for several miles and could impact surrounding areas. Crews have been preparing to implement the project to meet management objectives for several years.
The Victoria Project area is located approximately 5 miles west of Rapid City, SD off of Victoria Lake Road.
Broadcast burns are applications of fire to fuels, under specified environmental conditions, that allow fire to be confined to a predetermined area, and produces the fire behavior and fire characteristics required to attain planned fire treatment and resource management objectives.
The U.S. Forest Service conducts broadcast burns in an effort of reducing hazardous fuels and/or to improve wildlife habitat and forest health. Certain criteria has to be met in order for a broadcast burn to take place, including smoke dispersal conditions, weather, adequate staffing and fuel moisture. These are all outlined in a burn plan, that is thoroughly reviewed before implementation.
Once completed, the burn area will also serve to lessen fire intensities from naturally ignited fires such as lightning and provide fire managers more options when suppressing future fires.
Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed burning operations in the weeks ahead. Areas where burning operations are taking place will also be signed to notify visitors. The public is also encouraged to contact a nearby Forest Service office with questions.
For more information on Black Hills National Forest prescribed fire, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/fire/?cid=FSEPRD575179.
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