1/5/18

South Dakota drought increase brings higher fire danger


Poor ranching practices continue to add fuels to an already dangerous West River drought bringing with it a moderate fire danger to all reporting stations in the Black Hills.
Fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires in some areas, the number of starts is generally low. Fires in open cured grasslands will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Timber fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of moderate intensity although heavy concentrations of fuel, especially draped fuel, may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent. Fires are not likely to become serious and control is relatively easy.
In other words: public land managers should be coordinating prescribed fires with private landowners but South Dakota's senior senator has made it harder to conduct cooperative fuel treatments.

After haranguing from this blog the Rapid City Fire Department is burning portions of M Hill.


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