Black Hills National Forest Continues Prescribed Fires
Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work
Custer, SD., April 9, 2025— The Hell Canyon Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest will begin the 18 Mile Prescribed Fire when conditions are favorable. The project is located 18 miles southwest of Custer and eight miles west of Pringle, along Pleasant Valley Road. An estimated 880 acres will be burned. Objectives of this prescribed fire include maintaining forest health and protecting management investments in the interest of sustained timber productivity. Prescribed fires also reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
No closures are anticipated for the 18 Mile Prescribed Fire. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burn. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights if you encounter smoke on the road.
Weather conditions will be evaluated in the hours before the burn begins. If conditions are not favorable, this scheduled prescribed fire activity may be canceled.
Stay informed about scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website and social media channels. County emergency management officials will be notified when the burning begins.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.