Severe Drought Still Poses Fire Threat

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION – With lingering effects of the long hot and drought summer of 2012, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation still remains on active status with the State of Emergency Declaration in place by Oglala Sioux Tribe John Yellow Bird Steele.

Fire Broke Out Again Yesterday on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Yesterday on the reservation a fire broke out along the Gooseneck Road, located between Manderson and Sharps Corner in the Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. By early evening, the fire had been contained. Suppression efforts continued to be in progress and monitored by the BIA Pine Ridge Agency Fire Management Team into the evening.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe stresses that there is a fire ban throughout the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation because of the extreme drought. Fire officials are on alert status will continue their monitoring efforts on the 3.1 million acres within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, but want reservation residents to abide by the fire ban.

Last week, during the Labor Day weekend, a wildfire made its way onto the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from northwest Nebraska, which started when lightning struck. By Sunday, the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team came to the reservation to provide relief for the BIA Pine Ridge Agency Fire Team, who fought the fire since Friday, August 31.

Through the interagency collaboration, the fire was vigorously fought and contained. The fire burned 29,002 acres of land on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

On Wednesday, the management of the fire was officially turned back over to the BIA Pine Ridge Agency Fire Team.

posted September 7, 2012 6:40 am edt