By Gavin Bird

Wildfires are a common and dangerous threat throughout the western United States, including in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Many of these wildfires are ignited by lightning during the summer months, which make up the primary fire season across much of the western United States. Between 1987 and 2016, more than 2,500 fires occurred in the Black Hills during June, July, and August, with over half attributed to lightning (Clabo 2018). These wildfires threaten lives, property, and natural resources while requiring significant and costly emergency responses and resources.