Pine Grove Hand Piles Escaped Fire Review 2018

On April 6, 2018, fire personnel from the Mystic Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest ignited approximately 125 hand piles in the Pine Grove project area near Rockerville, South Dakota. There was 4-6” of snow on the ground when the piles were ignited and the forecast called for the snow to remain for at least the next day, then a chance of snow on April 8. While snow remained on April 7 as the crew mopped-up and cold trailed, it was receding. Further patrol, therefore, was scheduled for April 8. The patrol crew was just arriving at the station when the fire call went out at 1140 for the escaped pile burn. While the fire was contained by late afternoon, approximately 27 acres of grass and old hand piles burned on private land. Because the fire burned onto private land, the Duty Officer declared a wildfire. No injuries occurred.

Escaped RX, Escaped Prescribed Fire