Public Safety
Black Hills Fire Officials Warn of Slash Pile Burning Risks Ahead of Nov. 1 Season
South Dakota Wildland Fire officials caution Black Hills landowners that snow cover can melt quickly, making slash pile burning unsafe even with valid permits for the Nov. 1 through March 31 season. Small piles (6 feet wide by 6 feet tall or smaller) require at least 2 inches of continuous snow cover; larger piles require 6 inches, and burning is prohibited during wind advisories, fire weather watches, or red flag warnings. Seth Stevens, assistant fire management officer for the Hot Springs District, warned that escaped piles can reignite months later when embers settle into pine needle beds. Landowners must contact their local county dispatch center before igniting a pile and may face financial liability for suppression costs if a fire escapes.