Black Hills Fire & Smoking Restrictions In Effect Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Black Hills Fire & Smoking Restrictions In Effect Tuesday, July 3, 2012 

CUSTER, S.D. – A Fire & Smoking Restrictions Special Order for the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota and Wyoming has been signed by Craig Bobzien, supervisor of the forest, effective Tuesday, July 3.

“Persistent long-term drought conditions and recent high temperatures, combined with the lack of moisture have dramatically increased the fire danger,” Bobzien said. “Conditions are ripe for large fire potential, so people need to be extremely carefully in the Black Hills National Forest.”

Bobzien issued Special Order 118 to protect the forest and provide for human safety as forest moisture levels drop and temperatures increase.

Visitors to the Black Hills are reminded that burning is banned in Bear Butte State Park near Sturgis, Custer State Park, and Sheps Canyon, Cheyenne and Bailey Lakeside Use Areas at Angostura Reservoir. No campfires will be allowed.

In addition, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones has announced that all open burning permits for commercial campgrounds, private campfire rings and burn barrels in the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District are revoked and suspended until Stage II restrictions are lifted across the Black Hills National Forest.

South Dakota Codified Law 34-35-17 permits the Secretary of Agriculture to revoke and suspend permits “upon the change of climatic or other conditions which he considers would make the burning unsafe.”

Campfires in federal, state, local and private campgrounds will be prohibited during the duration of these restrictions.

Special Order 118 Prohibitions include:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood burning stove or sheepherder’s stove, including those in developed campgrounds and picnic areas.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
3. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
4. Operating or using any internal combustion engine (such as a chainsaw, generator or ATV) without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.  
5. Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arrestor, chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
6. Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
7. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
8.  

Exemptions Include:

1. Persons with a Forest Service permit or contract may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7. Any exemption must be applied for in writing, include an appropriate mitigation plan and must be authorized in writing by the appropriate Forest Service official. The authorization must be in the physical possession of the person or persons undertaking the exempted activities.
2. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7.
3. Residents, owners or lessees within the restricted area are exempt from #1, provided such fires are within a permanent dwelling and there is a spark arrestor in working order on the chimney.Violations of the order are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both.

Special Order 118 may be viewed at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5117120

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