COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Superintendent William R. Supernaugh announces that the Interior Volunteer Fire Department is receiving support from Badlands National Park in the form of fire fighting equipment to help combat wildland fires in the western Jackson county and eastern Pennington County area of South Dakota. The funding comes from Badlands National Park via the Rural Fire Assistance Program, a government program designed to enhance wildland fire protection capabilities near Department of the Interior lands.

The Interior, South Dakota Fire Department is eligible under this program because of its rural location serving a population of less than 10,000 people, as well as its responsibility for fire fighting in and around Badlands National Park. The funds have been received by the Park and will be used for training and to purchase equipment for the department.

Congress approved the Rural Fire Assistance program this year in response to the record-setting 2000 wildland fire season and increasing encroachment of communities into the wildland-urban interface where fires can cause catastrophic damage. Although this program has only one year of authorization, it is possible that it will be available in future years if the pilot program is a success.

For more information on Badlands National Park, contact (605) 433 – 5361.