In 16 days during August and September 2000, the Jasper Fire, the largest wildfire ever recorded in the Black Hills, consumed 83,508 acres of timber and meadows and left a blackened landscape. Even while the charred land still smoldered, recovery had already begun as insects and fungus moved into freshly burned forests, beginning decomposition and returning tree nutrients to the soil. The invasion of noxious weeds became a major concern where fire consumed the ground cover, where there were no trees for shade, and where firefighting equipment disturbed the soil. In this ponderosa pine forest, regeneration depends on soil conditions, available seed sources, and competition from other vegetation; many areas reseed themselves, while others require replanting. Burned areas also remain dangerous because standing burned trees have extremely weak root structures and may fall at any time, even without wind.

Photo: Daniel Barriball

Custer, South Dakota · USA