RANGER PROGRAMS CANCELLED AND VISITOR CENTER HOURS REDUCED IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS

Superintendent William R. Supernaugh announces that effective Sunday, June 30, Badlands National Park is cancelling two ranger programs and reducing the hours of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center by one hour per day to provide staff support for the national firefighting efforts. During the week of June 16, the nation went to a "Level 5" firefighting preparedness due to extreme fire danger throughout the country, particularly in the western states. When this level is declared, public land managers, such as park superintendents, are permitted to reduce visitor services to support public safety. Effective June 30, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Typically, the Center is open until 8 p.m. in from June through mid-August. Additionally, the Night Prowl, held at 10 p.m. at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, will be cancelled, as will the 3:00 p.m. Prairie Dog Town Walk, held at Roberts Prairie Dog Town along the unpaved Sage Creek Rim Road. These cancellations will remain in effect until further notice.

Visitors to Badlands and all public lands are reminded to know an area's current fire restrictions. No open fires are permitted in Badlands National Park at any time. Campers and backpackers are always required to use a campers stove or rely on cold food. Smokers should make sure to extinguish their smoking materials prior to departing their vehicle, rather than risk ignition in the extremely dry terrain.

Badlands National Park staff regularly provide support both locally and nationally in firefighting efforts, serving as an active partner with the town of Interior's Volunteer Fire Department and providing a wide range of expertise to fire crews across the nation. Currently, approximately ten park employees have been dispatched to fires in Colorado and other western states. It is anticipated that more will be released for fire duty in July.

For more information on fire management in the National Park Service, visit http://www.nps.gov/ For information specific to firefighting at Badlands National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/badl Click on IN DEPTH to reach the park's expanded website, which includes a page on fire management in a prairie ecosystem. For additional information on Badlands National Park, contact (605) 433 - 5361.