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Fire Management Plan
Wind Cave National Park » Fire Management Plan » Document List
The National Park Service (NPS) is implementing an updated fire management plan at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. The purposes of the plan are 1) to promote firefighter and public safety; 2) to restore and sustain natural ecosystems and reduce hazardous fuels; 3) promote fire prevention and the suppression of wildfires; 4) promote cooperation and collaboration with park neighbors; and 5) to minimize impacts of wildfire on park natural and cultural resources, park infrastructure, and adjacent lands, to the extent possible.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared analyzing the proposed action and alternatives and their impacts on the environment. Alternative B was selected. (See below.)
NEED
The existing park Fire Management Plan has been in place since 1999 and emphasizes fire suppression and the use of prescribed fire for fuel reduction throughout the park. In 1999, the National Park Service published Reference Manual #18: Wildland Fire Management, which provided guidance on fire management planning, and in 2003, the National Park Service’s fire management policy was revised.
With the establishment of new reference manuals and policy, the park’s Fire Management Plan needs revision to remain consistent with NPS and national guidelines.
Alternatives Considered
Alternative A – No Action
Under this alternative, the park’s fire management program would continue a program of prescribed fire use for fuel reduction throughout the park, as well as to achieve resource management goals. Fire suppression would continue as in the past, as no natural ignitions would be allowed to burn under any circumstances.
Mechanical treatments would be used in preparation for prescribed fire treatment. Treatments may include, but are not limited to: minimal limbing of trees to reduce ladder fuels and the potential for crown fire, thinning of small pockets, and mowing grass to create fuel breaks.
Alternative B – Integrated Management (Preferred Alternative)
Under this alternative, the draft Fire Management Plan would be adopted. The park’s fire management program would continue a program of prescribed fire use for fuel reduction throughout the park, as well as to achieve resource management goals. Fire suppression would continue as in the past, as no natural ignitions would be allowed to burn.
Mechanical treatments would be used in preparation for and in conjunction with prescribed fire treatment. Treatments may include, but are not limited to: limbing of trees to reduce ladder fuels and the potential for crown fire; reduction of regeneration to reduce fire intensity and restore open ponderosa/mixed-grass ecosystem; tree felling to add to fuel loads on ground to carry fire or break up canopy for reduction of canopy closure; mowing grass to create fuel breaks; hose lays or the potential use of ATV with water tanks; and construction of fire breaks.
Mechanical treatments are not intended to be utilized forever, but their use would bring conditions to a point that could be largely maintained by prescribed fire and then their use would diminish.
Information Officer Tom Farrell: 605-745-4600
An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared analyzing the proposed action and alternatives and their impacts on the environment. Alternative B was selected. (See below.)
NEED
The existing park Fire Management Plan has been in place since 1999 and emphasizes fire suppression and the use of prescribed fire for fuel reduction throughout the park. In 1999, the National Park Service published Reference Manual #18: Wildland Fire Management, which provided guidance on fire management planning, and in 2003, the National Park Service’s fire management policy was revised.
With the establishment of new reference manuals and policy, the park’s Fire Management Plan needs revision to remain consistent with NPS and national guidelines.
Alternatives Considered
Alternative A – No Action
Under this alternative, the park’s fire management program would continue a program of prescribed fire use for fuel reduction throughout the park, as well as to achieve resource management goals. Fire suppression would continue as in the past, as no natural ignitions would be allowed to burn under any circumstances.
Mechanical treatments would be used in preparation for prescribed fire treatment. Treatments may include, but are not limited to: minimal limbing of trees to reduce ladder fuels and the potential for crown fire, thinning of small pockets, and mowing grass to create fuel breaks.
Alternative B – Integrated Management (Preferred Alternative)
Under this alternative, the draft Fire Management Plan would be adopted. The park’s fire management program would continue a program of prescribed fire use for fuel reduction throughout the park, as well as to achieve resource management goals. Fire suppression would continue as in the past, as no natural ignitions would be allowed to burn.
Mechanical treatments would be used in preparation for and in conjunction with prescribed fire treatment. Treatments may include, but are not limited to: limbing of trees to reduce ladder fuels and the potential for crown fire; reduction of regeneration to reduce fire intensity and restore open ponderosa/mixed-grass ecosystem; tree felling to add to fuel loads on ground to carry fire or break up canopy for reduction of canopy closure; mowing grass to create fuel breaks; hose lays or the potential use of ATV with water tanks; and construction of fire breaks.
Mechanical treatments are not intended to be utilized forever, but their use would bring conditions to a point that could be largely maintained by prescribed fire and then their use would diminish.
Contact Information
Chief Ranger Rick Mossman: 605-745-4600Information Officer Tom Farrell: 605-745-4600