Black Hills National Forest Issues Immediate Fire Restrictions Changes

(Custer, SD, Sept. 24, 2026) National Forest Service lands in the State of South Dakota will return to Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Thu. Sept. 24. 2026 at noon. National Forest Service lands in the State of Wyoming on the Bearlodge and Hell Canyon Ranger Districts of the Black Hills National Forest will remain in Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, campfires are allowed if they are in permanent fire rings in developed campgrounds or recreation areas.

Specifically, under Stage 1 fire restrictions:

· Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire is prohibited (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in:

o A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites, campgrounds and picnic areas;

o A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or

o A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.

· Using an explosive is prohibited.

· Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

· Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is prohibited, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum of 8 oz. capacity and ratings of Class 2A) is kept with the operator.

Officials consider several criteria when determining the need for fire restrictions, including current and anticipated fire danger, resource availability, and consistency with neighboring jurisdictions.

In coordination with local counties, the Wyoming lands of the Bearlodge and Hell Canyon Ranger Districts will remain in Stage 2 fire restrictions. Under stage 2 fire restrictions, no campfires or charcoal are allowed anywhere on the Wyoming portion of the Black Hills, including in developed campgrounds and picnic areas.

Specifically under Stage 2 fire restrictions the following is prohibited:

· Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device.

· Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building.

· Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

· Using an explosive.

· Possessing or using a motor vehicle off NFS roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the motor vehicle.

For fire‑restriction updates, conditions and recreation information, visit the official BKNF website, or follow us on Facebook .

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

-U.S. Forest Service