December 23, 2020 - Update

American Center

Location: Custer Co, near 24884 American Center Rd

Reported: December 23^rd

Size: 48.36 acres (2.8 acres on private land)

Resources: Local, State, and Federal

Cause: Human / downed powerline

Containment: Expected 100% by end of day

 

Court

Location: Custer Co. near Hazelrodt Picnic Area

Reported: December 23^rd

Size: .01 acre

Resources: Local

Cause: Unknown/Under Investigation

Contain: December 23^rd 9:30am

Control: December 23^rd 10:00am

12/8/20: No Ignition Planned on Beartown RX today, Black Hills National Forest

No additional ignition is planned today (12/8/20) on the Beartown RX, SW of Spearfish, SD. Crews stayed on the project overnight and will continue to patrol and monitor the project area for the next several days. Residual smoke may remain in the surrounding area for a few days. 

Photos: Beartown RX, taken 12/7/20 by Brian Rafferty, Black Hills National Forest

12/7/20: Forest Service Continues Prescribed Burn Southwest of Spearfish, SD

2:15 p.m. Update: Firefighters have completed ignitions and successfully burned 140 acres today on the Beartown RX.

Photos: Beartown RX, 12/7/20, by Josh Hoffmann, Black Hills National Forest

10:15 a.m. Update: Firefighters conducted a test burn this morning (12/7) on the Beartown RX (SW of Spearfish, SD). Fuels are receptive for burning, conditions are within prescription and firefighters are proceeding with ignition. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD860817

After many years of fire exclusion, an ecosystem, such as the Black Hills, needs periodic fire to remain healthy. Without it, trees are stressed by overcrowding, fire-dependent species disappear, and flammable fuels build up and become hazardous.

Upcoming 12/7/20: Northern Hills to Continue Prescribed Burn Southwest of Spearfish, SD

(Beartown RX taken 11/4/20/USDA Forest Service)

Spearfish, SD, December 4, 2020 – The Northern Hills Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to ignite up to 150 acres on the Beartown Prescribed Fire Project the week of December 7th, southwest of Spearfish, SD, near Iron Creek Lake.

Firefighters will conduct a test burn the morning of the Dec. 7 or 8 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 ignitions.

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

“The Northern Hills Ranger District appreciates the support of our communities as we continue forward with this project,” said Brian Rafferty, Assistant Fire Management Officer on the Northern Hills Ranger District.

In an effort to reduce smoke impacts in the communities, fire officials have reduced the acreages to be burned, prioritized areas that will burn uniformly by igniting on the southern aspects of the unit, and will complete ignition during the late afternoon for improved smoke dispersal.

“We understand the concerns that some area residents have about smoke and that even with our mitigations, it will still effect some areas,” said Rafferty. “Our goal is to minimize smoke impacts to a few hours in the afternoon. Reducing hazardous fuels now will be beneficial in reducing the intensity and severity of future wildland fires.”

Fire managers 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.

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

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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12/4/20: Forest Service Continues Burn near Hill City, SD

The Forest Service is continuing the Long Draw Prescribed Burn Project (near Hill City, SD) today, Fri. 12/4/20 and plan to burn an additional 327 acres. Conducting burns now will help reduce the chance of a catastrophic wildfire, in these previously burned areas, during the hot summer months.

Photo taken this a.m. (12/4/20) of the test burn by Matt Daigle, Black Hills National Forest

Smoke from the prescribed burn may move towards Custer. Thank you again to the public and communities for being supportive during this project. 

The benefits from a burn are many...

The right fire, at the right place, at the right time can reduce hazardous fuels, protect communities from extreme fires; minimize the spread of pest insects; remove unwanted species that threaten species native to an ecosystem; provide forage for game; improve habitat for species; recycle nutrients back to the soil; and promote the growth of trees, wildflowers and other plants.

Photos: Long Draw RX, 12/4/20 by Matt Daigle, Black Hills National Forest

12/3/20: Forest Service Prescribed Burn Occurring near Hill City, SD

If you see smoke in the air, there is a prescribed burn happening on the Black Hills National Forest today (12/3) near Hill City, SD. The test burn was a success and firefighters are proceeding with ignition. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD859769.

Smoke from the prescribed burn near Hill City today may be impacting areas south of Hill City, north of Custer, SD and the Black Elk Wilderness. Fire officials appreciate the support of our local communities during this project. Reducing hazardous fuels now will be beneficial in reducing the intensity and severity of future wildland fires. 

Photos: Long Draw Project, 12/3/20, by Matt Daigle, Black Hills National Forest

USFS Prescribed Burns Week of November 30

Beartown Prescribed Burn near Spearfish, SD / Iron Creek Lake

The Northern Hills Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to burn up to 200 acres on the Beartown Prescribed Fire Project this week, southwest of Spearfish, SD, near Iron Creek Lake.  If conditions allow, crews may burn from Nov 30 through Dec 3.  

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

Long Draw Prescribed Burn near Hill City, SD

The Mystic Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning a 500-acre prescribed burn on the Long Draw Project. If conditions allow, crews may begin burning on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and possibly continuing through Thursday, Dec. 3.

The Long Draw project area is located 6 miles southwest of Hill City and 10 miles northwest of Custer, in the vicinity of Reno Gulch and Medicine Mountain Roads.

Smoke will be visible for several miles and could impact Hill City, Custer, Reno Gulch Rd., Medicine Mountain Rd., and surrounding areas.