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: Terry Tompkins (605) 343-1567, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

BULLOCK PRESCRIBED FIRE IGNITION TOMORROW

RAPID CITY, SD: SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

Mystic firefighters will focus their efforts tomorrow, September 17th, on the Bullock Prescribed Burn.

Four days are needed to accomplish the burn if weather conditions are suitable. The project area is located in Pennington County, approximately two miles northwest of Sheridan Lake. Project size is estimated at 617 acres and the primary objective of this burn is to improve public and firefighter safety and to improve wildlife habitat.

Smoke and flames will be visible from Highway 385. Smoke and smoldering material may continue to burn the week after burning operations are completed. Visitors traveling thru the vicinity of a prescribed burn, who have concerns about the fire leaving the perimeter, should contact Great Plains Dispatch at (605) 393-8017.

Prescribed burns allow fire managers to reintroduce fire under a more controlled environment, usually in the spring or fall, to lower fire intensities and produce fire effects that are more desirable to land managers and the public. Once completed, the prescribed burn area will also serve to lessen fire intensities from naturally ignited fires such as lightning and provides fire managers more options when suppressing future fires.

For more information, visit our website www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.