RAPID CITY, S.D. – If you see a large plume of smoke in the air starting tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, southwest of Rapid City, SD, please do not call 911. Fire managers are conducting a prescribed burn west of the junction of Victoria Lake and First Thunder Roads.
The Mystic Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is planning to ignite up to 250 acres on the Victoria Project on Thursday and Friday, weather permitting.
The Victoria Project area is located approximately 5 miles southwest of Rapid City, SD.
We are asking forest visitors, recreational shooters, and hunters to consider using an alternate location on the Forest during this time to ensure the safety of our firefighters and the public.
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.
Broadcast burns are the application of fire to the landscape under pre-determined environmental conditions and geographic locations. Utilizing fire gives land managers another tool to meet resource objects.
Crews have been preparing to implement the project for several years.
The U.S. Forest Service conducts broadcast burns in an effort of reducing hazardous fuels and to improve wildlife habitat and forest health. Certain criteria must be met for a broadcast burn to take place, including smoke dispersal conditions, weather, adequate staffing, and fuel moisture. These are all outlined in a burn plan, that is thoroughly reviewed before implementation.
Once completed, the burn area will also serve to lessen fire intensities from naturally ignited fires such as lightning and provide fire managers more options and increase safety when suppressing future fires.
Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings. Areas where burning operations are taking place will be signed to notify visitors. The public is also encouraged to contact a nearby Forest Service office with questions.
