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.
