PRESCRIBED BURN SET FOR BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Superintendent William R. Supernaugh announces that Badlands National Park will conduct prescribed fire activities to meet year 2001 management goals for prairie restoration. Weather permitting, Wednesday, October 3, 2001 at 10:00 AM fire operations will begin for the West Sage Creek Prescribed Fire Unit located in the Pinnacles District and Badlands Wilderness Area of Badlands National Park. If weather is unfavorable on October 3, the prescribed fire will be conducted on the following days and is expected to last two to three days. The park plans to burn approximately 3600 acres. The West Sage Creek Prescribed Fire will encompass an area east of the Sage Creek Road and approximately two miles south of the Sage Creek Campground. During the burns, park operations will continue as usual. Travelers should be aware that blowing smoke might be present.

Prescribed fire is an important resource management tool used to maintain the native mixed grass prairie. Plants native to the area are adapted to fire and, in many cases, may actually depend on fire to remain a vital part of a healthy prairie. The West Sage Creek Prescribed Fire objects are:

· To reduce in the amount of dead vegetation that would burn if an uncontrolled wildfire spread through the area.

· To increase the vigor of the native plant species through an infusion of nutrients following the burn.

· To replicate the natural conditions of the ecosystem by reintroducing fire.

For more information on the park's burn plans and policies, contact Chief of Natural Resources Brian Kenner at (605) 433 - 5260 or Natural Resource Management Specialist Sandee Dingman at (605) 433 - 5262. The park's website has additional information on fire as a prairie management tool at http://www.nps.gov/badl