Custer, S.D., Oct. 20, 2023 – The Hell Canyon Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest has decided to postpone the Witch Prescribed Burn that was scheduled to start today. After careful evaluation of weather patterns and fuel moisture, fire management personnel determined conditions did not meet the required criteria outlined in the prescribed fire burn plan.
Careful planning goes into prescribed burns, which are used for long-term forest health. Clearing built-up fuels and overgrowth is essential in mitigating the risk for large-scale wildfires in the future. This will allow fire managers to continue to mitigate wildfire risk and create a healthier forest.
Each prescribed burn conducted by the Black Hills National Forest has a detailed burn plan developed well in advance that includes environmental analysis. A burn plan specifies conditions and criteria that must be met prior to initiating the burn. Safety is the primary focus when considering a prescribed burn and conditions.
“Every prescribed burn is closely coordinated with the weather forecast,” said Todd Hoover, Hell Canyon Fire Management Officer, “As forecasts change, we adjust our plans to accordingly to conduct a safe burn.”
Fire managers will continue to look for opportunities to conduct this prescribed burn in the future.
Custer, S.D., Oct. 18, 2023 – The Hell Canyon Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to conduct the Witch prescribed fire project October 20 and 21, 2023, weather dependent. The objectives of the prescribed burn are to enhance wildlife habitat and reduce fuel loads.
The Witch project area is located approximately 3 miles southwest of Pringle, SD. We are asking forest visitors and hunters to avoid the area during this time. Smoke from the prescribed burn will be visible throughout the day of the burn and may linger for several days. Firefighters will be on site throughout the day of ignition and will periodically patrol the burn for several days afterward. If you see smoke from this burn, please refrain from calling 911.
Alternative funding sources were provided by grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Specific project objectives are focused on enhancing forage for big game wildlife, restoring open forest conditions dominated by ponderosa pine, and reducing fuel loading. Removal of encroaching trees from meadows helps maintain the native plants that grow in these areas and provides forage for wildlife.
“These prescribed fire projects are designed to mimic the natural fire return interval and restore natural fire intensities,” said Todd Hoover, Hell Canyon Fire Management Officer, Black Hills National Forest. “Reducing fuel loading will decrease future wildland fire intensity and severity, lowering the risk of negative impacts to ecosystems, cultural resources, and communities that can result from uncharacteristically severe wildfires.”
Prescribed fire specialists compare current and predicted environmental conditions to those outlined in burn plans before deciding whether to burn on a given day. Burn plans include 21 separate elements including Goals & Objectives, Prescription (weather and fire behavior), Holding plans, and Contingency planning. A prescribed burn will not be ignited unless the conditions meet the criteria described in the burn plan.
###
USDA is an equal
opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
