STURGIS, S.D. – The Bureau of Land Management is conducting prescribed burning just outside Sturgis Tuesday.
Burns are being conducted on approximately 500 acres west and south of the Old Fort Meade VA Cemetery and north and east of the Fort Meade VA Compound. Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90, State Highways 34 and 79, and Sturgis.
Smoke from the burn may be visible during and after ignition, potentially lasting several days. Firefighters will monitor the area throughout. Please do not call 911 if smoke is visible in these designated areas.
These burns are carefully planned based on local knowledge, expert input, and scientific modeling. Specialists compare current and forecasted conditions with burn plan criteria, which include 21 key elements like goals, weather, fire behavior, and contingency plans. Burns will only proceed if conditions meet the plan’s requirements, and local authorities will be notified beforehand.
The burn’s objectives are to reduce hazardous fuels, thin ponderosa pine stands, and restore a balanced pine-savanna habitat. It will also reduce plant litter, decrease the likelihood of intense wildfires, promote new growth for wildlife and cattle, and support native species by removing invasive ones.
