Very high fire danger in the Black Hills

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Current weather conditions have led to very high fire danger in the Black Hills and grasslands. State officials remind area residents the increased potential for wildfires necessitates fire prevention precautions for all.

Today and tomorrow, highs will reach into the 60s over most of South Dakota with some 50s over the higher elevations of the Black Hills and over the northeastern corner of the state.

Wednesday should be the warmest day of the week as an upper level ridge moves through the northern Great Plains. Highs are expected to be in the 60s and 70s, coolest over northeast South Dakota and the Black Hills and warmest over central and southern South Dakota.

South Dakota Wildland Fire would like to remind the public that if you have burned brush piles the last couple of weeks, you should check to see if your piles are cold and completely out.

This type of weather can cause burn piles to re-ignite if the pile has not been completely extinguished and cold to the touch. Burn permit holders are reminded to use the back of their hands to feel the ashes; if you can touch the ashes without feeling any type of heat from the pile, you can consider the pile cold and out. If a pile should escape and start a wildland fire, landowners or burn permit holders can be held financially responsible for all suppression costs.

South Dakota Wildland Fire can be found on Twitter @SDWildlandFire and on Facebook by searching SD Wildland Fire.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating over $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

–South Dakota Department of Agriculture