Devils Tower, Wyoming - A 300 acre prescribed burn ignited on Tuesday morning succumbed to high winds late Wednesday afternoon. A small spot fire, observed midday in the SW corner of the Monument, was pushed up a steep hill side by high winds and quickly torched woody plants out side of the burn area. Fire officials quickly converted the classification of prescribed burn to a wildland fire which allowed for additional firefighters to be ordered for containment of the fire.
"The Monument entrance road, Belle Fourche River Campground, visitor center and hiking trails, are closed until the fire is contained", said Reed Robinson, Superintendent of Devils Tower National Monument. The Belle Fourche Unit Fire Management Plan calls for the removal of dead fuels such as exotic plants and woody herbaceous growth in the area which will encourage the growth of native prairie grasses and forbs.
At last report the spot fire had expanded to 56 acres all within the Monument. The fire burned power lines which impacted electricity for approximately 15-20 residences in the area. The power company has restored electricity to the residences.
To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument call 307-467-5283, visit us online at www.nps.gov/deto or on Facebook at Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site. Devils Tower National Monument is located, 33 miles northeast of Moorcroft, WY, 27 miles northwest of Sundance, WY via U.S. 14, 9 Miles south of Hulett via WY24, and 52 miles southwest of Belle Fourche, S.D. via S.D. Highway34/WY24.
- www.nps.gov/ deto
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
