Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 10, 2002
For more information:  Division of Parks and Recreation, 773-3391

STATE PARKS CONTINUE TO OBSERVE LOCAL BANS ON OPEN FIRES

PIERRE – In accordance with county- and state-directed bans on open fires, the Game, Fish and Parks Division of Parks and Recreation are prohibiting open fires in some state parks and recreation areas until further notice. This restriction includes campfires, but does not restrict the use of gas grills.

The following parks and recreations areas are observing the open fire restrictions within South Dakota: 

Black Hills and Western South Dakota – Custer State Park, Angostura Recreation Area, Bear Butte, Shadehill, Llewellyn John’s, Little Moreau, Rocky Point at Orman Dam and Newell Lake. All areas west of the Missouri River are observing restrictions on open fires. 

Central – Farm Island, West Bend Recreation Area, Oahe Downstream, Spring Creek, Cow Creek, Okobojo Point, Little Bend and Lake Louise. (Includes Lyman, Hughes, Stanley, Sully, and Hand Counties)

North Central – West Whitlock, East Whitlock, Swan Creek, West Pollock, Indian Creek, Lake Hiddenwood and Revheim Bay. (Includes Potter, Walworth and Campbell Counties)

South Central and Southeastern – Snake Creek, Platt Creek, North Wheeler, Pease Creek, North Point, Randall Creek, Buryanek, Burke Lake, Lewis and Clark, Springfield Recreation Area, Pierson Ranch and Chief White Crane. (Includes Charles Mix, Gregory, Bon Homme and Yankton Counties.)

Northeastern – Roy Lake, Ft. Sisseton, Sandy Shore, Mina Recreation Area, Lake Poinsett, Oakwood Lakes, Lake Hendricks and Lake Cochrane. (Includes Marshall, Edmunds, Codington, Brookings and Deuel Counties.)

Under direction of Gov. Bill Janklow, all open fires are banned in the Black Hills Fire Protection District until further notice. County fire restrictions are also in place until further notice. Please consult with the individual park staff for updated information on local open fire restrictions. 

The restrictions come as a result of the high fire danger and hot, dry conditions in the Black Hills and throughout the state. 

For more information, contact the division office at (605) 773-3391. 

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