This year, the number of wildfires is down in South Dakota. But forest officials say you still need to be aware of your surroundings and be prepared in case a fire does spark.
Wildland fires go in cycles. This year, the threat has been low because Western KELOLAND is in a wet cycle versus a dry one.
“Our normal fire season begins around mid July in to early August and then it can continue through October and then this year with all the moisture we’ve had, we’ve basically had a really easy fire season per se,” Ray Hubb, Fire Management Officer, said
“We are just waiting for the cycle to go from a wet cycle back to a dry cycle,” Harvey said.
Even with the wet weather, there is still a risk. For instance, tall grass has the potential to create large fires that last for a long time.