November 5th, 2016. 10:45 am

Johnson Fire - UPDATE

• Reported:  17:45 pm. November 4th
• Location: Beretta Road on Black Hills National Forest
• Size:  12 acres
• Federal, Local & State resources on scene
• Cause: Under Investigation
• 100% Contained.  Crews mopping up.

Prescribed Fire Planned in Northern Black Hills

Spearfish, SD, November 4, 2016 – Forest Officials from the North Zone Fire Program on the Black Hills National Forest are planning to burn approximately 225 acres on the Work Center Prescribed Fire Project as early as Monday, November, 7. North Zone Fire Program is also planning to burn approximately 133 acres on the Burner Prescribed Fire Project next week.

The Work Center Project is about one mile southwest of the City of Spearfish, South Dakota, off of Forest Service road 134, (Tinton Road). Smoke will be visible from the City of Spearfish and Interstate 90. Areas of smoke will be more noticeable in the evening and in the morning after the completion of the prescribed burn and could reach portions of neighborhoods within Spearfish City Limits.

The Burner Project is approximately three miles northwest of Sundance, WY off of Forest Service road 838, (Warren Peak Hwy). Smoke will be visible from Sundance and Interstate 90. Areas of smoke will be more noticeable in the evening and in the morning after the completion of the prescribed burn and could reach portions of neighborhoods within Sundance City Limits.

Fuel moistures and weather conditions such as temperature and wind direction will be a contributing factor for determining which project Fire Officials will implement first, as well as deciding which day next week to conduct the burn project. Objectives of the burn are to reduce surface and ladder fuels that contribute to crown fire hazard. The reduction of excess hazardous fuels provides additional protection to nearby homes, while also providing fire managers safe and effective areas in which to manage future wildland fires. Additional goals include providing for diverse ecosystems, improving sensitive plant habitats within the unit, and to promote foraging opportunities for animals.

Prescribed Fire Specialists compare conditions on the ground to those outlined in burn plans before deciding whether to burn on a given day. A prescribed burn will not be ignited unless the conditions meet the criteria described in the burn plan. Resources will continue to monitor the prescribed burn through the week, and until declared out.

The Parking Lots and Trailheads for the Tinton Trail system will be temporarily closed the day of the burn for use by fire officials. The Tinton Trail will remain open. Officials ask recreationalists to find parking outside of the trailheads and prescribed fire project area.

Forest visitors, including hunters, are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed burning operations in the months ahead. Traffic control on Forest Service roads during implementation, may be in place to provide safety to visitors who are passing through the burn area. Areas where burning operations are taking place will be signed to notify visitors. The public is also encouraged to contact a nearby Forest Service Ranger District office with questions.

As conditions permit, fire officials will continue to assess ignition of other prescribed burn units across the Black Hills National Forest.


For more information on Black Hills National Forest prescribed fire, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=STELPRDB5112694

November 4th, 2016 - Updated at 5:45

Reuter Fire

• Reported:  16:46 pm
• Location: North of Sundance on Black Hlls National Forest along Warren Peak Highway
• Size: 1/10  acre
• Contained, Controlled, Out
• Cause: Human

Johnson Fire

• Reported:  17:45 pm
• Location: Beretta Road on Black Hills National Forest
• Size:  Estimated 8-10 acres
• Federal, Local & State resources on scene
• Cause: Under Investigation
• Firefighters have stopped the forward progress; suppression is also being aided by the fire burning into the 2008 Bitter Prescribed Burn.

Calumet Fire

• Reported:  12:38 pm
• Location: 2 miles south of Sheridan Lake on Black Hills National Forest
• Size:  .85  acre
• Federal, Local & State resources on scene
• Cause: Under Investigation

Lagoon Fire Nearing Completion

The Lagoon Prescribed Fire near Chadron, Nebraska is nearing completion.  Ignitions around the fire perimeter are complete, and approximately 26 fire personnel remain on site to monitor fire activity and to mop up any interior hot spots. Smoke may remain visible through tomorrow afternoon near Pine Ridge Job Corps.

The 20-acre prescribed fire has decreased vegetation near the inlet and outlet pipes of the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center’s wastewater lagoon, preventing root damage to the underground liner that protects the soil from contamination from the lagoon's water.

For more information about this or other local prescribed fires, please contact the U.S. Forest Service, Pine Ridge Ranger District office at 125 North Main in Chadron or by phone at 308-432-0300.

 

 

Small Fire Update: Wednesday, 11-2-2016

Wednesday, 11-2-2016

MM 115 Fire

• Size: .1 acre
• Location: Eastbound Mile Marker 115, Interstate-90 near Wall, SD
• Contained @ 2:35 p.m.
• Cause: human
• Local VFD and Federal resources responded.

Lagoon Prescribed Fire Planned for Thursday near Chadron

The Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands plans to burn approximately 20 acres on Thursday, November 3.  The Lagoon Prescribed Fire unit is located approximately 10 miles south of Chadron, Nebraska, east of Highway 385, behind the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center.

“The primary purpose of the Lagoon Prescribed Fire is to decrease vegetation near the inlet and outlet pipes of the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center’s wastewater lagoon. Reducing the vegetation will also decrease root damage to the underground liner that protects the soil from contamination from this water.” said Michael Mattmiller, Acting District Fire Management Officer.

Smoke may be visible from Highway 385 and 20 and from the communities of Chadron, Hay Springs, and Crawford.  Access may be limited on the Job Corps By-Pass Road (FS 775) for a short amount of time if smoke becomes an issue.

Please see below for a map of the planned fire's location.  Paper maps of the burn area are available at the Pine Ridge Ranger District office at 125 North Main in Chadron.  The public is encouraged to stop by that office or call 308-432-0300 if they have questions.

 

 

 

Applee Tree Prescribed Fire Planned November 2 & 3 in Custer State Park

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Wildland Fire Division, Custer State Park and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks are planning to ignite the Apple Tree prescribed fire on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Ignition will continue Thursday, Nov. 3, as conditions allow.

Firefighters are planning on burning approximately 624 acres. This project is located in Custer State Park, off of the southern end of the Wildlife Loop Road.

This interagency prescribed fire is a cooperative effort with grant funding provided by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. This grant funding helps meet land management objectives that otherwise could not have been accomplished due to budget constraints.

Objectives of the burn are to improve wildlife habitat, provide quality forage and reduce hazardous fuels in an effort to create and maintain a forested landscape that inhibits the spread of unwanted fire to the crowns of trees. Weather conditions will be monitored closely to ensure prescribed fire conditions align with management objectives for the burn.

Prescribed fire is used to maintain healthy native vegetation and is needed to prevent the encroachment of invasive species. Fire also reduces the hazardous buildup of debris and dead vegetation which can fuel wildfires.

Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas, and can linger for several days after ignition has been completed. Fire crews will secure, patrol and monitor fire lines as appropriate for public and firefighter safety. For more information on smoke management visit:  http://gpfireinfo.blogspot.com/p/smoke-management.html.