Burn Regulations
Black Hills National Forest Enters Stage II Fire Restrictions
Effective Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 - Oct. 31, 2024.
For a digital version of this Order and map, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5117120.
 
The Buffalo Gap National Grassland and all of the other units of the Nebraska National Forest go into Stage 2 fire restrictions
Effective Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2024, unless rescinded
For a digital version of this Order, go to https://blackhillsfirerestrictions.com.
 
 
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) go into Stage 2 fire restrictions
Effective Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 - Oct. 31, 2024
A digital version of this Order, can be found here: BLM SDFO Stage II Fire Restrictions

 
Western SD and eastern WY are in a period of drought forecasted to increase in intensity.  Fuels are extremely dry and susceptible to wildfire outbreak. Implementing Stage 2 Fire restrictions allows the public to recreate in the Black Hills National Forest while still enacting preventative measures to reduce the risk of human caused wildfires. 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health, safety, and natural resources by preventing wildfires during a period of extreme fire danger. Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the ignition of any fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, unless the device is solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned on and off.


For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills, follow the Forest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhillsnf or Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackHillsNF.

 
Pennington County Fire Administration DOES NOT issue burn permits.  
Burn permits for West of Highway 79 in Pennington County
can be obtained by visiting the Burn Permit Website or calling 800-275-4955.
Open fires within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection Boundary (West of Highway 79 in Pennington County) fall under the regulations of the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District. Open fires are prohibited unless in a designated campground or picnic area. Private property locations MUST obtain permits for open burning, fireplaces, and incinerators through SD Wildland Fire.
  • SDWL - Burn Permit (WEST of HWY 79) Website:  This includes information for burn barrels, permanently fixed fire pits, and outdoor fire pits as well.  Contain and monitor your burn piles! Permits are required to burn in the Black Hills Fire Protection District. Permits are issued Nov 1 to March 31 each year. For more info visit wildlandfire.sd.gov/ and click on burn permits. #keepSDsafe
 
Burn Regulations for East of South Dakota Highway 79 in Pennington County
Ordinance #726 (Open Burning - June 3, 2021) applies to all areas in Pennington County except (1) the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District; (2) any municipality and, (3) any land in Pennington County that is under the ownership or jurisdiction of the Federal Government or State of South Dakota.
South Dakota Codified Law 7-8-20(18).  It allows the County Commissioners to prohibit or restrict open burning, after consultation with local fire officials and law enforcement officials, in order to protect public health and safety, and allows the County to prohibit open burning under certain conditions based on the National Weather Service Grassland Fire Danger Index. The penalty is a $500 fine or 30 days in jail or both.
 
 
Black Hills Area Fire Restrictions interactive map to view restrictions, websites, and contact information for the following areas:  U.S. Forest Service Lands, National Park Service Lands, Bureau of Land Management, and State Park Lands.