Monday, November 30, 2020

Black Hills National Forest to Continue Prescribed Burn Southwest of Spearfish, SD

(Photo: Beartown Rx Project taken 11/4/20, USDA Forest Service)

Spearfish, SD, November 30, 2020
– The Northern Hills Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to ignite up to 200 acres on the Beartown Prescribed Fire Project this week, southwest of Spearfish, SD, near Iron Creek Lake.

Firefighters will conduct a test burn this morning to check conditions and see if fuels are receptive for burning. If everything is within prescription and the test burn goes as planned, officials will continue with ignition today, November 30.

Additional units are also planned and may be carried out throughout the week if conditions are favorable.

Smoke may impact the communities of Spearfish and Lead/Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon and residences along Forest Service Road 134.

“This could be a multiple day burn; possibly starting today, Monday November 30th, and, we may burn into Thursday December 3rd, if conditions warrant,” said Brian Rafferty, Fuels Specialist from North Zone Fire Management, Black Hills National Forest. “Resources from South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire and the City of Spearfish may assist with operations.”

The Beartown Project area is located approximately 8 miles south of Spearfish, SD and 12 miles west of Lead, SD.

The primary objective of the prescribed burn is to reduce the intensity and severity of future wildland fires. Fire managers will use prescribed fire to reduce accumulations of woody debris (or slash) and common ground juniper. Additionally, the project will improve habitat for large game that enjoy the area.

There are multiple units of consideration off FSR 214. Fire officials said the roads in the area will remain open but ask drivers to use caution and slow down if driving in the area. With reduced visibility from smoke possible, please do not stop along the FSR 214 (Higgins Gulch Rd), as this can create a hazard for fire vehicles in the area.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest call (605) 673-9200 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills.


-USDA- 

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Nov 26-27, 2020

641 Wildfire

Reported: 8:04 am, Nov 26

Location: 3 miles SE of Rockerville, SD

Size: .1 acre

Resources: Local and Federal

Cause: Human - under investigation

Contained at 10:45 am, Nov 26; Controlled at 11:15 am, Nov 26


Ridgeview Wildfire

Reported: 11:01 am, Nov 27

Location: Custer County, 2 miles SW of Custer, SD

Size: .5 acres

Resources: Human - State and Federal

Cause: Under investigation

Contained and controlled at 11:41 am, Nov 27

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Nov 25, 2020

Gobbler Wildfire

Reported: 3:45 pm, Nov 25

Location: Moskee / Crook County, WY.  Southeast of Sundance, WY

Size: 20 acres

Jurisdiction: Private land

Resources: State and Federal

Cause:  Human / Piles

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

November 18, 2020

 Warren Loop Wildfire

Reported: 2:29 am, Nov 18

Location: Lawrence County, 5 miles ENE of Deadwood, SD

Size: .27 acres

Resources: Federal, State and Local

Cause: Unknown

Contained 2:45 am and Controlled at 3:00 am Nov 18


Gumbo Lilly County Assist (CA)

Reported: 4:56 am, Nov 18

Location: Custer County, Hermosa, SD

Size: 18.7 acres

Resources: Federal, State and Local

Cause: Structure fire into grassland


Tuesday, November 17, 2020

November 17, 2020

Miller Wildfire

Reported: 8:52 am, Nov 17

Location: Fort Robinson State Park, NE

Size: .3 acre

Resources: State, Local and Federal

Cause: Human / Under Investigation

Contained: 10:30 am, Nov 17


Saturday, November 14, 2020

Update - Two Bit Springs Fire

Reported 7:47 pm, Nov 13

Location: Approximately 2 miles south of Deadwood and east of Strawberry Hill.

Size: 10 acres

Resources: State, Federal and Local 

Jurisdiction: State

As of 8:00 am, Nov 16, the fire is contained.

Cause: Human - Under investigation

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Black Hills National Forest Continues Beartown Prescribed Fire

 

(Beartown Rx taken Nov. 4, 2020 - USDA Forest Service)


Nov. 5, 2020 Beartown Rx Update - Fire crews successfully burned 215 acres yesterday (11/4/20) on the Beartown Project, located approximately 8 miles south of Spearfish, SD and 12 miles west of Lead, SD.

Today, (11/5/20) crews are aiming to burn an additional 150 acres. Please note that smoky conditions may be present in Spearfish, SD and surrounding areas.

Read more about this project at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD839835