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.
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