News Release

National Park Service Plans Prescribed Fire at Mount Rushmore National Memorial - Starling Basin

The National Park Service at Mount Rushmore National Memorial plans to burn 95 acres of land west and south of Highway 244 in the area known as Starling Basin if weather conditions permit.

NPS

News Release Date: September 19, 2025

Contact: Blaine Kortemeyer, 605-574-3170

KEYSTONE, S.D. – The National Park Service at Mount Rushmore National Memorial plans to conduct a prescribed fire at Starling Basin, a 95-acre burn, on or after Oct. 1, 2025, weather permitting. 

For visitor and firefighter safety, some areas of the park may be temporarily closed during the operation. Visitors may see smoke in the area, and short-term smoke impacts are possible along Highway 244 and in nearby communities.  

Firefighters will monitor conditions to minimize smoke impacts and ensure the fire remains within designated boundaries. The project is expected to take approximately seven days to complete.

The Starling Basin prescribed fire is part of an ongoing effort to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health, and enhance wildlife habitat within the Memorial. Safety is the priority, and the prescribed fire is scheduled to be conducted only under favorable weather and environmental conditions. 

“Prescribed fires help reduce the risk of larger, more severe wildfires, promote healthy forests and support diverse wildlife habitats,” said Jonathan Dunbar, Fire Management Officer for the Northern Great Plains Fire Management Zone. “By reducing fuel loads and improving ecosystem conditions, we’re investing in the long-term health of the Memorial’s landscape.” 

The Starling Basin prescribed fire is a collaborative effort involving the National Park Service’s Northern Great Plains Fire Management Zone, Mount Rushmore National Memorial staff, and multiple interagency partners, including federal, state and local fire departments. 

For updates on the Starling Basin prescribed fire, including timing and potential area closures, visit nps.gov/moru or follow @MountRushmoreNPS on social media.