Caution Urged for Pile Burning: Forecast for Quickly Changing Weather

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Wildland Fire (SDWF) is urging landowners who have recently burned slash piles to ensure the burning piles are completely extinguished.

Warmer temperatures and strong gusty winds forecast for all of Western South Dakota beginning Thursday morning (March 12) will increase the risk for slash piles to ignite wildland fires.  Warmth melts snowpack while wind can reignite recent burn piles if not completely out.

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 heat you can consider the pile out.  If a pile escapes and starts a wildland fire, burn permit holders can be held financially responsible for fire suppression costs within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District.

For more information about pile burning requirements and safety visit https://burnpermit.sd.gov.  To view a short video demonstrating how to totally extinguish your pile visit https://youtu.be/M0JSesd-F1Y?si=BoWPD1tlnR8ecOcb.

SDWF is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.