New South Dakota Drought Task Force Website Operational

PIERRE, S.D. – An updated Governor’s Drought Task Force website is now operational and is a resource for those looking for drought information.
The website, drought.sd.gov, went live on Friday of last week.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard activated the Governor’s Drought Task Force earlier this month to monitor drought conditions across the state. Gov. Daugaard says the website will feature drought information.

“The website will include information such as the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, fire conditions, weather reports and agricultural information,” said the Governor. “We know many people are impacted by the dry conditions and we want to provide the best information we can.”

Other features on the website include a map comparing this year’s drought to the 2012 drought and a fire map showing the number of acres burned and the perimeter of the fires on state jurisdictional land.

While there has been recent rainfall in some areas, extremely dry conditions exist in other parts of the state. An emergency fire declaration earlier had been declared for 13 central and western South Dakota counties impacted by the drought conditions. Those counties areButte, Custer, Fall River, Haakon, Harding, Hughes, Jackson, Jones, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Perkins and Stanley.

The Governor’s Drought Task Force consists of 12 state government agencies. Task Force members will coordinate the exchange of drought information among government agencies as well as agriculture, fire and water-supply organizations.

Next meeting for the Task Force is Aug. 15 in Pierre.

White Horse Fire Pennington County, SD

Around 11:00 am Monday morning, July 18, 2016, Federal, State and Local resources responded to a report of a smoke column 4 miles east of Crazy Horse Memorial located between Custer and Hill City South Dakota.The cause of the 1/2 acre fire is unknown.

The current drought conditions require the response that was shown today. AirTack and ground crews working together quickly to minimize the spread of fire. A Cat dozer was brought in around 11:45 am to establish fire lines.

 

White Horse Fire on White Horse Road in Pennington, County SD Monday July 18, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Staging area at the White Horse Fire on White Horse Road in Pennington, County SD, Monday July 18, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

Bell water drop at the White Horse Fire on White Horse Road in Pennington, County SD, Monday July 18, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

 

A “Sky Crane” makes a muddy water drop at the White Horse Fire on White Horse Road in Pennington, County SD, Monday July 18, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press.

Open Fires Prohibited on Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming

Open Fires Prohibited on Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming

 Custer, SD —Acting Forest Supervisor Jim Zornes has signed an order prohibiting use of open fire on all National Forest System lands administered by the Black Hills National Forest within the State of Wyoming. The order is effective immediately and shall be in effect until rescinded or until December 31, 2016 whichever occurs first.

The order prohibits:

1.      Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, barbecue, grill or stove fire is prohibited.  The exception to this allows use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.

2. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

3. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A kept with the operator, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

4. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A. 

5. Using explosives.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from specified Prohibitions of this order: 

1)      Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5.

2)      Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5

“Drought conditions persist in the area creating very high to extreme fire conditions. This order is necessary for the protection of public safety, public and private property, and the natural resources within the Black Hills National Forest in the state of Wyoming,” said Steve Kozel, Bearlodge District Ranger.

The Black Hills National Forest has a volatile wildfire profile due to the ponderosa pine fuel type and unique weather thus fire prevention is important. Conditions are expected to persist throughout the summer creating high potential for large fire development causing public safety and natural resource concerns.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills or call (605) 673-9200.

South Dakota Gov. Daugaard Issues Emergency Fire Declaration July 13, 2016

PIERRE, S.D. July 13, 2016 – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has issued an emergency fire declaration for 13 central and western South Dakota counties that have been impacted by drought conditions.

The counties are: Butte, Custer, Fall River, Haakon, Harding, Hughes, Jackson, Jones, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Perkins and Stanley.

Gov. Daugaard said the declaration allows state government services to be used as necessary to help the counties that are part of the declaration. The declaration was recommended by the state Drought Task Force which was activated by the Governor this week.

“Widespread drought, low humidity and high temperatures have led to a serious fire hazard in those 13 counties,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Persistent prairie fires could diminish the feed and water supplies needed for livestock; or create hardships for individuals, businesses and governments by destroying public, private and agricultural property.”

The declaration allows one single engine air tanker (SEAT) plane to be stationed in Pierre and be managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Division of Wildland Fire. The plane will respond as needed to fires in the declared counties. If used, the state would cover 90 percent of the cost while the counties would pay the other 10 percent. Additionally, the SEAT will be available to use on prairie fires affecting federal and tribal lands through existing agreements.  

“It has been a dry year in parts of South Dakota. Sixty percent of the land in our state is abnormally dry and counties primarily west of the river are experiencing moderate to extreme drought,” Gov. Daugaard said. “By declaring an emergency the state will be prepared to assist counties when and if fires break out.”

The Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District is not included in the declaration. The declaration period begins Friday, July 16, 2016 and will last no longer than Dec. 31, 2016.

Gov. Daugaard Activates State Drought Task Force

PIERRE, S.D. July 11, 2016 – Gov. Dennis Daugaard today (Monday) activated the state Drought Task Force to monitor drought conditions across South Dakota. The task force also held its first meeting today in Pierre.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that abnormally dry conditions are scattered in the central and eastern parts of South Dakota. Moderate and severe drought conditions are found in most of western South Dakota as well as in the extreme northeastern part of the state. There are still areas of the state not considered to be in a drought.

“While rainfall has been adequate in some areas, the recent hot, dry weather has increased drought conditions in other parts of South Dakota,” Gov. Daugaard said. “The Drought Task Force gives us a way to share information so we can all respond appropriately. We want to be ready in case drought conditions persist.”

Task Force members will coordinate the exchange of drought information among government agencies as well as agriculture, fire and water-supply organizations. Officials say the exchange of information will allow the task force to better monitor the development and seriousness of the drought. The task force also will evaluate the impact of drought on economic sectors of the state.

State government agencies represented on the Drought Task Force include the:

• Governor’s Office
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Public Safety
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Department of Game, Fish and Parks
• Department of Health
• Department of Social Services
• Department of Tourism
• Department of Tribal Affairs
• South Dakota National Guard
• South Dakota State University
• Bureau of Information and Telecommunications

South Dakota’s drought monitor index can be found atdroughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?SD.

South Dakota’s Wildland Fire Crew – A Column by Governor Dennis Daugaard

July 8, 2016
South Dakota’s Wildland Fire Crew
A Column by: Governor Dennis Daugaard

It has been a dry year in parts of South Dakota. Sixty percent of the land in South Dakota is abnormally dry and counties west of the river and in the northeast are experiencing moderate to extreme drought. Drought is most severe in the Lawrence County area where the fire at Crow Peak burned more than 2,700 acres over the course of two weeks.

As I write this, the Crow Peak fire has just reached 100 percent containment. Under the lead of an Incident Management Team from Colorado, no structures were lost and no one was seriously injured or killed. The team had help from local, volunteer and municipal fire departments from across the state that put in many hours and sacrificed their Fourth of July weekend to assist the Incident Management team.

Our state fire crew, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Division of Wildland Fire, also played a critical role in managing the Crow Peak fire. They offered air support, equipment and hand crews to assist the Black Hills National Forest and the Incident Management Team with containment.

Created by Gov. Bill Janklow in 2001 to assume the duties of wildland fire management in South Dakota, our Wildland Fire Division assists in large fire suppression efforts by sending personnel and equipment. Wildland Fire has its own fleet of fire engines with full-time and seasonal firefighters who are stationed at four locations around the Black Hills. Division employees also work with the South Dakota National Guard which lends military heavy left helicopters, pilots and crews to fight wildfires. Wildland Fire’s efforts aren’t limited to South Dakota. They help fight fires in Canada and across the United States

When they are not on the ground fighting fires, Wildland Fire employees are engaging in fire prevention efforts. Agency hand crews are involved in fuel reduction activities that include tree thinning and brush disposal through chipping and burning at various locations in the Black Hills. They also have a fire prevention program called “One Less Spark.”

South Dakota is fortunate to have a well-operating fire crew. Wildland Fire division director Jay Esperance and his employees work very hard to limit the damage from wildfires. We are also lucky to have so many volunteer firefighters in our state who are willing to dedicate their time to help with fire suppression efforts. They routinely put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

For our part, we must not add to their workload. Respect county burn bans when they’re in place. Where fires are permitted, never leave a fire unattended, completely extinguish fires before leaving the area and remind others to be cautious. Also, be mindful when operating equipment in dry areas.

South Dakota weather is anything but predictable. We can’t prevent lightning strikes or control how much moisture we receive. But we should do all that is within our power to prevent fires, especially this year.