Resources
The Black Hills National Forest is able to provide 12 Wildland Fire Engines, 1 10-person Initial Attack Crew, 1 20-person Hotshot Crew, one Boxelder Job Corp Handcrew, Black Hills Helitack crew with a Type 3 Helicopter and eight person staff, Rapid City Airtanker Base and Great Plains Dispatch that orchestrates all the orders for local, regional, and national wildland fires.
Fire and Aviation Crews and Staffed Fire Lookout Towers
Bearlodge Fire
The North Zone Fire Management program includes the Northern Hills Ranger District located in Spearfish, SD and the Bearlodge Ranger District located in Sundance, WY. (Photo by Josh Hoffmann)
Black Hills Helitack
One of the first helitack crews in the nation, Black Hills Helitack has operated safely and effectively since 1959. (Photo by Corbin Herman)
Fire Lookout Towers
Five Fire Lookout Towers remain in service today on the Forest.
Hell Canyon Fire
Hell Canyon Ranger District has two station locations: one in Custer, SD & the other in Newcastle, WY.
Mystic Fire
The Mystic fire crew is based out of Rapid City, SD. The crew responds primarily to fires throughout the 311,000 acres of National Forest System lands on the Mystic Ranger District.
Northern Hills Fire
The North Zone Fire Management program includes the Northern Hills Ranger District located in Spearfish, SD and the Bearlodge Ranger District located in Sundance, WY.
Rapid City Airtanker Base
The Rapid City Airtanker Base is in full operation with 7-day staffing from June 1st through September 30 with the ability to support shoulder-season fires as needed.
Tatanka Hotshots
The Black Hills National Forest is home to the Tatanka Hotshots, a Forest Service 20-person wildland fire Hotshot Crew formed in 1999 and based in Custer, SD. (Photo by Tatanka Hotshots)