State to remove some trees at Giraffic Park
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A hazardous fuels reduction project will soon begin at the YMCA Giraffic Park Day Camp on U.S. Highway 385 near Silver City. The project is needed due to the overgrowth of trees. If a fire starts, the overgrowth increases the intensity of a fire and makes it more difficult to suppress.
“The intent of our projects is to prevent fire from getting into the tops of trees and becoming uncontrollable,” says Andrew Tate, urban interface specialist with South Dakota Wildland Fire Division.
Treatment will promote forest health by mimicking the natural effects fire would have on the landscape by targeting and removing deformed, diseased, storm damaged and broken topped pine trees while encouraging deciduous tree growth. Remaining pine will be spaced an average of 30 feet between the crowns and limbed at least 10 feet from ground. This results in a variety of healthy trees increasing forest diversity.
This project is funded through a federal grant, with no cost to the YMCA. Work will begin early 2016 and be completed in fall 2016. Trees will be chipped or removed by contractors.
“The intent of our projects is to prevent fire from getting into the tops of trees and becoming uncontrollable.” Andrew Tate, urban interface specialist for South Dakota Wildland Fire Division
If you have questions or comments about the project, you can contact Cassie Christy, urban interface technician with the South Dakota Wildland Fire Division, at 605.394.5203.
Follow South Dakota Wildland Fire on Twitter @SDWildlandFire and on Facebook by searching SD Wildland Fire.
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–South Dakota Department of Agriculture
