Black Hills National Forest

US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
605-673-9227

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Julie Wheeler (605) 745-4107, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

FIRE DANGER HIGH ON GRASSLANDS

HOT SPRINGS, SD: AUGUST 11, 2008

Fire danger is rising on the Northern Great Plains.

Welcome spring and early summer rains produced an abundance of grass on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland in southwest South Dakota after several years of drought. Now, as the grasses cure and the temperatures rise, the potential for fire rising, Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands officials say.

Cured grasses create fine flashy fuels that can quickly ignite into a wildfire. The Forest Service is asking Grassland visitors to be aware of the potential danger. Grass and grass seeds can build up under the vehicle and in the engine compartment and ignite. Catalytic converters can start fires when vehicles are parked in tall grass.

The fire danger is currently high on the western half of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland administered out of the Fall River Ranger District in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Current fire restrictions are posted at http://blackhillsfirerestrictions.com.

For more fire information on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, visit our website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska/fire or call (605) 745-4107.