November, 16th, 2025

   Three Forks Fire 

Date Reported: 11/16/2025 Time: 2:57 PM

Location: 2 miles North East of Hill City, SD

Size: 0.10

Jurisdiction: State/ Private

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Controlled at 4:30 PM

Wyoming Bureau of Land Management Prescribed Fire

 Sherwood Prescribed Fire 

Date Reported: 11/15/2025 Time: 11:25 AM

Location: 6 miles North East of New Castle Wyoming

Size: 65 Acres

Jurisdiction: BLM

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Firing Operations Started: 11:25 AM 

Status:

Wyoming BLM will be conducting a prescribed burn this weekend approximately six miles northeast of Newcastle (east of Beaver Creek Road and west of the state line). This managed event is intended to promote forest health and reduce future wildfire risk. Residents may observe heavy smoke in the area Saturday and Sunday which could linger into next week. Resources will remain on scene as needed throughout this period and will continue to monitor the fire for several days. The public is asked to please not call 911 to report this controlled burn or to inquire about its status, so as to not tie up our local Dispatchers unnecessarily. As public and firefighter safety remain top priorities, please avoid the area so fire resources can move about as needed.

November, 15th , 2025

 Water Draw Fire 

Date Reported: 11/15/2025 Time: 7:50 AM

Location: 4 miles South West of Jewel Cave

Size: 0.10

Jurisdiction: Forest

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Controlled - updated

30 Point Fire 

Date Reported: 11/15/2025 Time: 1:47 PM

Location: Cherry County, NE - Steer Creek Natural Area, McKelvie Ranger District

Size: 50 Acres

Jurisdiction: FS-NBF

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Unknown

November, 11th, 2025

 MM 52 Fire 

Date Reported: 11/11/2025 Time: 8:26 AM

Location:  Pennington County, Rapid City, South Dakota

Size: 0.10 Acres

Jurisdiction: Private/State

Resources: State and Local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Out

November, 5th, 2025

 Highway 36 Fire 

Date Reported: 11/05/2025 Time: 2:13 p.m.

Location:  Custer County, 3 miles WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota

Size: 3.58 Acres

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Undetermined, Fire Investigator on Scene

Status: Controlled

November, 4th, 2025

 Maverick Fire 

Date Reported: 11/04/2025 Time: 12:30 p.m.

Location:  7.9 miles southwest of Spearfish, South Dakota

Size: 0.10 Acre

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Human; Investigator on Scene

Status: Out 

 Highway 83 Fire 

Date Reported: November 4, 2025, at 1:55 p.m.

Location:  Cherry County, 10 Miles North of Thedford, NE 

Size: 1000 Acres

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: Federal, State, and Local 

Cause: Undetermined

Status: Contained - 11/05/25 updated 

Jewel Cave National Monument

Lithograph Prescribed Fire

Date: October 25, 2025 

Operations: Started at 10:43 AM 

Location: Custer County, Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota 

Size: 145 Acres

The primary objective of the Lithograph Prescribed Fire is to reduce fuel loading. Prescribed fires help decrease the intensity of future wildfires and mimic the natural fire regimes of a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. These fires are conducted carefully under specific, approved conditions. Factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, along with short- and long-range weather patterns, are all considered when establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. 

The National Park Service personnel will assist with the prescribed fire, supported by other interagency resources. Traffic control will be implemented along Highway 16 to direct vehicles, as fire personnel will be working alongside the roadside. During the prescribed fire, smoke may be heavy at times along Highway 16 and in the town of Custer. Additionally, other impacts on park operations are expected, but efforts will be made to minimize visitor disruptions.

Wind Cave National Park

  Lookout Flats Prescribed Fire

Date: October 24, 2025 

Operations: Started at 10:30 AM 

Location: Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota 

Size: 1100 Acres

The primary objectives of the Lookout Flats Prescribed Fire are to reduce fuel loading, decrease encroachment of young ponderosa pine onto the prairie, and increase cover of native forbs. Prescribed fires help decrease the intensities of future wildfires and mimic the natural fire regimes of a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. 

Smoke may be heavy at times along highways 385 and 87 and visible from the surrounding region. Hwy 385 between the north and south access roads into the park headquarters will be closed, with traffic routed through the visitor center parking lot. 

The Lookout Point, Highland Creek, and Wind Cave Canyon Trails will be closed during firing operations and longer if necessary. For additional information, visit: www.nps.gov/wica/learn/news/09232025pr.htm

( Photo Credit: Wind Cave National Park ) 

Schenk Prescribed Fire

 

October 23, 2025 – The Bureau of Land Management is planning to conduct the Schenk prescribed fire project on Friday, October 24, weather dependent. Approximately 680 acres will be burned if conditions warrant.  The Schenk project area is located approximately 5 miles southwest of Jewel Cave National Monument. 

The objectives of this prescribed fire are to reduce forest density and hazardous fuels accumulations that could make suppression efforts difficult to control during the summer months. As well as remove insect-weakened trees and minimize the risk of unwanted wildfire that could move onto private lands. 

Prescribed fire is also used in multiple existing meadows to rejuvenate grasses, forbs, and shrubs, to benefit grazing, while reestablishing meadow boundaries by reducing pine, and spruce encroachment. 

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 burns for several days afterward. If you see smoke from this burn, please refrain from calling 911.

For more information contact Travis Lipp, Fire Management Specialist, at (605) 210-0741. 

###

Ellsworth Air Force Base Prescribed Fire

 US Fish and Wildlife Service- Prescribed Fire- Ellsworth AFB 

Date: October 23, 2025 

Operations: Start at 9:00 AM 

Location: Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Expect to burn in the northeast and north-central parts of Ellsworth AFB. 

Size: 300 Acres

Objectives: fuels reduction and prairie restoration. 

Media and Public Contact: Ellsworth Public Affairs Office at (605) 385-5056 with questions. 

Mount Rushmore National Memorial Prescribed Fire

Starling RX Information - Mount Rushmore

The National Park Service plans to conduct prescribed fire operations in the coming days, weather permitting. The operation will take place in an approximately 95-acre unit known as Starling Basin, located to the west and south of Highway 244 within the Mount Rushmore National Memorial boundary. 

For safety reasons, some areas of the park may be temporarily closed during the operation. Smoke will be visible in the area, and short-term smoke impacts are possible along Highway 244 and in nearby communities.

Operations are set to begin on October 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Location: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, south side of South Dakota Highway 244 at Blackberry Trailhead.  

Objectives: Reduction of hazardous fuels.

For more information, call: (605) 574-3139

                                                  (Photo Credit: The National Park Service)

October 19th, 2025

 Granite Fire 

Date Reported: October 19, 2025, at 9:44 p.m.

Location:  Lawrence County, 3 miles west of Sturgis, SD

Size:1.2 Acres

Jurisdiction: State

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Out as of 10/24/25 - updated: 10/30/25

October 1, 2025

Gertie Fire 

Date Reported: October 1, 2025, at 5:20 a.m.

Location:  Pennington County, 1 mile west of Hill City, SD

Size:18.3 Acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, state, and local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Contained 

September 28, 2025

Beretta Fire 

Date Reported: September 28, 2025, at 1:10 a.m.

Location:  Pennington County, 2 miles SE of Sheridan Lake

Size: 0.1 acre

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: VFD

Cause: Human

Status: Controlled

September 26, 2025

 ==

Update: Friday Sep 26 at 10:45 am
Smoke may remain visible for several days after Thursday's prescribed burn in Badlands National Park.  No active ignitions are planned for today (Friday).  The area is being patrolled and monitored.

Badlands National Park, Prescribed Burn, Conducted Thursday Sep 25, 2025
The prescribed burn in Badlands National Park concluded on Thursday.

==

September 25, 2025

87  Fire

Date Reported: September 25, 2025, at 4:52 p.m.

Location: Custer County, 1 mile south of Pringle

Size: 0.1 acre

Jurisdiction: State/SDWF

Resources: SDWF, VFD, Federal

Cause: Human

Status: Out

=======

Update: Sep 25 at 6:45 pm

Badlands National Park, Prescribed Burn, September 25, 2025

The prescribed burn in Badlands National Park is still in progress (6:45 pm) and still expected to conclude this evening as planned.
Smoke may remain visible in the area for several days after the burn.

Update: Sep 25 at 10:25 am

Badlands National Park, Prescribed Burn, September 25, 2025

Badlands National Park is conducting a prescribed burn of 2,500 acres (today) September 25, 2025.  The burn began this morning and is expected to continue until this evening. The burn area is near Sheep Mountain Table. Primary vegetation is short grass.  USFS is assisting. 

Smoke from the fire may be heavy at times along Highway 44 and visible from the surrounding region. Sheep Mt. Table Road will be closed intermittently for safety reasons. Smoke may continue to be seen in the area for several days after the burn.

==========

(September 24)
Badlands National Park, Prescribed Burn, (Tentative) Sep 25 2025

A prescribed burn of 2, 500 acres in Badlands National Park is tentatively planned for September 25, 2025. The burn area is near Sheep Mountain Table. Primary vegetation is short grass.  USFS plans to assist.  If conditions or resources are not suitable the burn will be rescheduled. 

Smoke from the fire may be heavy at times along Highway 44 and visible from the surrounding region. Sheep Mt. Table Road will be closed intermittently for safety reasons. Smoke may be seen in the area for several days following the burn.

September 22, 2025

Green Mountain Fire (Updated 4 pm Sep. 22) 

Date Reported: September 22, 2025, at 1:10 p.m.

Location: Pennington County, 5 miles south of Deerfield Lake

Size: 0.1 acre

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal

Cause: Lightning

Status: Controlled

 Danby Fire  (Updated 6 pm Sep. 22) 

Date Reported: September 22, 2025, at 1:29 p.m.

Location: Custer County, 6 miles west of Custer, SD

Size: 6 acres

Jurisdiction:  State 

Resources: Federal, State, Local

Cause: Under Investigation

Status: Contained

 Bear Grass Fire (Updated 4 pm Sep. 22) 

Date Reported: September 22, 2025, at 2:19 p.m.

Location: Custer County, 1.5 miles south of Highway 16

Size: .1 acre

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal

Cause: Lightning

Status: Controlled

September 15, 2025

Sunshine Fire (Updated Sep 23, 2025)

Date Reported: September 15, 2025, at  12:40 p.m.

Location: Cook County, 15.46 miles SE of Sundance, WY

Size: 0.91 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, Local

Cause: Lightning

Status: Out

Freeland Well Fire

Date Reported: September 15, 2025, at  11:54 a.m.

Location: Custer County, 6 miles SSE of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Lightning

Status: Contained

Woodpecker Fire

Date Reported: September 15, 2025, at 12:29 p.m.

Location: Custer County, 2 miles SE of Sylvan Lake, Custer, SD 

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Initial attack

September 13, 2025

North S and G Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  2:30 pm

Location: Custer County, 4 miles Southwest of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 3 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Initial Attack

Lithograph Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:38 am

Location: Custer County, 8 miles South of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 9 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Undetermined

Status: Initial attack

Centennial Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:05 pm

Location: Pennington County, 2 miles South of Keystone, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Initial attack

Hell Canyon Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:45 am

Location: Custer County, 3 miles East of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Controlled as of 11:25 am on 9/12/2025

Sun Country Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:47 pm

Location: Pennington County, 1 mile Southwest of Rockerville, SD

Size: 0.10 acres

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: State and Local

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Contained as of 9:38 pm on 9/11/2025

September 12, 2025 - Update 2

North S and G Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  2:30 pm

Location: Custer County, 4 miles Southwest of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 3 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Undetermined 

Status: Initial Attack

Lithograph Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:38 am

Location: Custer County, 8 miles South of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 9 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Undetermined

Status: Initial attack

Centennial Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:05 pm

Location: Pennington County, 2 miles South of Keystone, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Initial attack

Hell Canyon Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:45 am

Location: Custer County, 3 miles East of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Controlled as of 11:25 am on 9/12/2025

Sun Country Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:47 pm

Location: Pennington County, 1 mile Southwest of Rockerville, SD

Size: 0.10 acres

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: State and Local

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Contained as of 9:38 pm on 9/11/2025

September 12, 2025 - Update

Lithograph Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:38 am

Location: Custer County, 8 miles South of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 7 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Cause: Under Investigation 

Status: Initial attack

Centennial Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:05 pm

Location: Pennington County, 2 miles South of Keystone, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Initial attack

Hell Canyon Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:45 am

Location: Custer County, 3 miles East of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Controlled as of 11:25 am on 9/12/2025

Sun Country Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:47 pm

Location: Pennington County, 1 mile Southwest of Rockerville, SD

Size: 0.10 acres

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: State and Local

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Contained as of 9:38 pm on 9/11/2025

September 12, 2025

Centennial Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  10:05 am

Location: Pennington County, 2 miles South of Keystone, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Initial attack

Hell Canyon Fire

Date Reported: September 12, 2025, at  8:45 am

Location: Custer County, 3 miles East of Jewel Cave NM, SD

Size: 0.25 acres

Jurisdiction: Federal

Resources: Federal and State

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Controlled as of 11:25 am on 9/12/2025

Sun Country Fire

Date Reported: September 11, 2025, at  8:47 pm

Location: Pennington County, 1 mile Southwest of Rockerville, SD

Size: 0.10 acres

Jurisdiction: Private

Resources: State and Local

Cause: Lightning 

Status: Contained as of 9:38 pm on 9/11/2025