FORT PIERRE — The U-S-D-A Forest Services is planning on conducting 11 prescribed burns across the Fort Pierre National Grasslands in Jones and Lyman Counties. The window for the burning is now through May 31st, weather and fuel load permitting. The burns are designed to increase the dominance and diversity of native vegetation to include improving livestock forage and wildlife habitat quality as well as burning off fuel loading. Land and homeowners in the area will be notified along with local law enforcement that the burns will be taking place. Smoke from the prescribed burns may be visible from U-S Highway 83, Interstate 90 and the cities of Draper, Fort Pierre, Kennebec, Murdo, Pierre, Presho and Vivian. Any one with questions about the prescribed burn operations should contact the Fort Pierre Ranger District in Fort Pierre.
