April 29, 2025

      LH  Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/29/25, 10:06 AM

Location:  Custer County, 2 miles northwest Fairburn, SD 

Size: 0.1 acres

Resources:  State and Local

Jurisdiction: State

Cause:  Human

Status: Out

April 28, 2025

     Even  Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/28/25, 5:00 PM

Location:  Cherry County, 10.5 miles south of Nenzel, NE, 

1/2 mile from the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest Office

Size: 0.1 acres

Resources:  Local and Forest

Jurisdiction:  Nebraska Forest Service

Cause:  Lighting

Status: Contained

April 24, 2025

       Willow  Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/24/25, 08:50 AM

Location:  Meade County, 1 Mile N of Blackhawk, SD

Size:0.1 acres

Resources: State

Jurisdiction:  Private State

Cause:  Unknown

Status: Out

April 22, 2025

      Windmill Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/22/25, 12:20 PM

Location:  Custer County, 13 miles west of Custer, SD

Size: 2.9 acres

Resources: Forest Service and State

Jurisdiction:  Black Hills Forest 

Cause:  Unknown

Status: Controlled -update

      Victoria Prescribed Fire 

Date/Time reported: 4/22/25, 10:47 AM

Location:  Pennington County, 4 miles SSE of Johnson Siding SD

Size: 168 acres

Resources: Forest Service 

Jurisdiction:  Black Hills Forest - update

 

April 21, 2025

     Coon Creek  Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/21/25, 1: 12 PM

Location:  Custer County, 3 miles southeast of  Elk Mountain Lookout

Size: 0.1 acre

Resources: Forest Service

Jurisdiction: State

Cause:  Lighting

Status: Out - update

April 15, 2025

     Pile 4 Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/15/25, 11:35 AM

Location:  Crook County, 9 miles NNW of Four Corners, WY

Lat/Lon: 44.200633 N; - 104.231350 W

Size: 5.0 acres

Resources: Federal and Local

Jurisdiction: Private

Cause:  Under Investigation

Status: Contained 

April 13, 2025

  Burn Pile #3  Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/13/25, 4:22 PM

Location:  Crook County, 8 miles south of Sundance, WY

Size: 5.0 acres

Resources: Federal and Local

Jurisdiction: Private

Cause:  Human

Status: Contained

April 12, 2025

 Ditch Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/12/25, 7:27 PM

Location:  Lawrence County, 1 mile north of Spearfish, SD

Size: 2.0 acre

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Jurisdiction: Private

Cause:  Human

Status: Controlled

 White Wood Service Rd Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/12/25, 3:57 PM

Location:  Lawrence County, 2 miles southeast of Whitewood, SD

Size: 2.4 acres

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Jurisdiction: Private

Cause:  Human

Status: Controlled and Contained 

Falling Rock Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/12/25 1:41 PM

Location:  Pennington County, 3 miles SE of Johnson Siding, SD

Size: 0.1 acre

Resources: Federal and Local

Jurisdiction: Federal

Cause: Human

Status: Out

April 11, 2025

   Iron Mountain Wildfire

Date/Time reported: 4/11/25, 11:00 am

Location:  2 miles south of Keystone

Size: 0.1 acre

Resources: Federal 

Jurisdiction: Federal

Cause:  Human

Status: Contained and Controlled

Warren Peak Rx - Black Hills National Forest Continues Prescribed Fires

 Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

Sundance, WY., April 11th & 12th, 2025— The Bearlodge Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest is planning to begin conducting prescribed fires using the South Slope prescribed fire plan. The Bearlodge and Northern Hills districts have experienced normal to above normal precipitation in the form of snow this winter. Under the South Slope burn plan snow will be utilized as control features for this unit. Snow may not be present in lower elevations, but northerly aspects in the higher elevations are still holding an adequate amount of snow. South slopes become available to burn due to their exposure while other surrounding aspects remain snow covered. An estimated 82 acres will be burned roughly 1 mile southeast of Warren Peak Lookout. Prescribed fires help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

No closures are anticipated due to this prescribed fire. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

Weather conditions will be evaluated in the days/hours before the burn begins. If conditions warrant, this scheduled prescribed fire activity may be canceled.

Stay informed about scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website and social media channels. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.

April 10, 2025

 Erskine Fire

Date/Time reported: 4/10/25, 5:26 PM

Location:  Meade County, 6 miles west of Summerset

Size: 1.0 acre

Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Jurisdiction: Federal

Cause:  Undetermined

Status: Contained and Controlled Updated

  Walnut Wildfire

Date/Time reported: 4/10/25, 1:00 pm

Location:  Meade County, Piedmont, just off I-90 Interstate

Size: 0.1 acre

Resources: State and Local

Jurisdiction: State and County Assist

Cause:  Human

Status: Out at 1:32 PM 4/10/2025

Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands to Begin Prescribed Fires

 

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

Chadron, Neb., April 9, 2025— The Pine Ridge Ranger District of Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands is planning the Chadron Creek prescribed fire.  This project is in coordination with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and will take place on state, private, and federal lands.  An estimated 1,700 acres will be burned about 10 miles south of Chadron. Prescribed fires help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

The 218 OHV trail is expected to be closed for up to a week for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

Weather conditions will be evaluated in the hours before the burn begins. If conditions warrant, this scheduled prescribed fire activity may be canceled.  Additionally, if conditions change throughout the day, the burn may be shut down on one of the prepared lines that are throughout the project area.

Stay informed about scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website and social media channels. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins. 

Black Hills National Forest Continues Prescribed Fires

Update: 04/10/2025

Due to Red Flag Warnings, this burn has been postponed. 

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

Custer, SD., April 9, 2025— The Hell Canyon Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest will begin the 18 Mile Prescribed Fire when conditions are favorable. The project is located 18 miles southwest of Custer and eight miles west of Pringle, along Pleasant Valley Road. An estimated 322 acres will be burned. Objectives of this prescribed fire include maintaining forest health and protecting management investments in the interest of sustained timber productivity. Prescribed fires also reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

No closures are anticipated for the 18 Mile Prescribed Fire. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burn. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights if you encounter smoke on the road.

Weather conditions will be evaluated in the hours before the burn begins. If conditions are not favorable, this scheduled prescribed fire activity may be canceled.

Stay informed about scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website and social media channels. County emergency management officials will be notified when the burning begins.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

April 7, 2025

Pioneer Ridge Wildfire

Date/Time reported: 4/7/25, 12:59 pm

Location:  Pennington County, 13 miles southwest of Rapid City

Size: 1.5 acres

Resources: State and Local

Jurisdiction: Private

Cause:  Under Investigation

Status: Controlled update 

Wind Cave National Park prepares for prescribed fire

 

HOT SPRINGS, S.D. – Planning is underway to burn 1,094 acres of land east of the park’s headquarters this April. Timing for the fire will depend on fuel moisture, weather forecasts, and crew availability.

 

“The primary objectives of the Lookout Flats fire are to reduce fuel loading, decrease encroachment of young ponderosa pine onto the prairie, and increase cover of native forbs,” said Acting Park Superintendent Milton Haar. “Prescribed fires help decrease the intensities of future fires and mimic the natural fire regimes of a mixed-grass prairie.”

 

The primary vegetation within the project area is short grass. Ignition will take place through the utilization of ground resources. Assisting with the fire will be National Park Service firefighters with support from other interagency resources.

 

During the day of the burn, smoke from the fire may be heavy at times along Highways 385 and 87 and visible from the surrounding region. The highways might be closed intermittently for safety reasons. Unless there is significant precipitation, smoke might be seen in the area for several days following the burn.

 

The Lookout Point, Highland Creek, and Wind Cave Canyon Trails will be closed during fire operations and possibly for the two weeks following the burn. Other impacts to Park operations are expected but efforts will be made to minimize visitor impacts.

 

This fire represents a continuation of the park's prescribed fire program which began in 1972. Sections of the park are burned, under favorable conditions, to simulate natural fires. Prescribed fires maintain the balance between forest and prairie, removes the build-up of dead fuels which reduces the chance of a catastrophic wildfire, and rejuvenates the native prairie grasses. 

 

Prescribed fires are carefully conducted under identified and approved prescription conditions.  Factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, and short and long-range weather patterns are all considered in establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. If the prescribed set of conditions cannot be met on a specific day, the planned fire is postponed. 

Map of Wind Cave National Park with a green background showing the area of the proposed fire outlined in red.