Open fire is not allowed within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District except in established metal fire rings or grills that are in designated sites within a developed campground, recreation area, or picnic ground.
Note: South Dakota Statue defines “open fire” as any fire to burn slash, brush, grass, stubble, debris, rubbish, or other inflammable material not enclosed in a stove, spark proof incinerator, or an established fireplace approved or constructed by a public agency in a designated recreation area.)
Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force that is performing official duty is exempt from the open fire prohibition.
Violations of this prohibition can result in a fine up to $5,000.00 for an individual, or $10,000.00 for an organization, or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Permits are needed for private campfire facilities on private land within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District, excluding incorporated cities or towns. Permits may be obtained by contacting the local field office for the South Dakota Wildland Fire Division or calling 605-393-8011.
Campfires are allowed in undeveloped areas in the Wyoming portion of the Black Hills. Before building a campfire, please clear all nearby vegetation and establish a campfire ring. In developed campgrounds, campfires are only allowed in designated fire grates. Officials remind everyone to be extra cautious with campfires to prevent wildfires.
During periods of extreme wildfire conditions, additional restrictions may be put in place restricting the use of open fire.
In the Black Hills area, Local, State, and Federal agencies have combined fire restriction information on one website at: www.blackhillsfirerestrictions.com.
The site shows fire restrictions that are in place in counties, national parks, and national forests in the Black Hills Area and also includes parts of three states; Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
The site contains a link to Firewise with information available on how to protect and reduce the risk of losing your home from a wildfire. Links to current fire information, as well as links to individual organization sites are posted.
Burn permits for slash piles are weather dependent and are generally issued November through March.
Click on the “Website” link next to any of the listed agencies on the Black Hills Fire Restrictions website for more information. Also check out the Great Plains Fire Safe Council website at http://www.gpfiresafecouncil.com for more local fire safe information.
