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2000 Jasper Fire
The Jasper Fire was a wildfire that occurred between August 24 and September 25, 2000, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, United States. Burning a total of 83,508 acres (33,794 ha; 337.94 km2) across the southern hills, it is the largest wildfire in both state and Black Hills history. It burned over 90% of the total land area of Jewel Cave National Monument. As of 2024[update], efforts to replenish the natural vegetation inside the burn scar are still ongoing.
The cause of the fire was later determined to be arson. Janice Stevenson of Newcastle, Wyoming, was arrested and accused of setting the fire by way of dropping a lit match and failing to put it out. In 2001, Stevenson pled guilty to second-degree arson and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
On August 24, 2000, a motorist, later identified as Janice Stevenson of Newcastle, Wyoming, stopped to use the bathroom on the side of U.S. Highway 16 near Jasper Cave Road, just west of Jewel Cave. She lit a cigarette and threw the lit match on the ground, which ignited the grass. Reportedly, Stevenson noticed the fire and drove away.
The fire was reported at 2:18 p.m. the same day. Hot and dry conditions, low humidity, and heavy ground litter allowed the fire to spread rapidly, and shifting winds spread the fire in multiple directions. At its peak, the fire burned 100 acres (40 ha) per minute. On August 26, the fire burned 48,000 acres (19,000 ha; 190 km2). Over 1,100 firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze.
The fire was declared contained on September 8 at 6:00 p.m. and was officially deemed controlled on September 25.
Overall, the fire burned 83,508 acres (33,794 ha; 337.94 km2) of forest, making it the largest wildfire in both South Dakota and Black Hills history. It stretched across parts of Custer and Pennington Counties. The Jasper Fire was 25% larger than any other reported fire in the Black Hills. Of land use in the Black Hills National Forest, 52,472 acres (21,235 ha) in Hell Canyon Ranger District, 26,294 acres (10,641 ha) in Mystic Ranger District, and 2,836 acres (1,148 ha) of private land burned. 27% of the impacted area was so severely burned that all trees were destroyed and ecological succession was reset. Multiple summer houses and cabins were also destroyed. Overall, the fire incurred around $9 million in firefighting costs and caused an estimated $42 million in overall damages.
The fire burned 1,279 acres (518 ha), about 90% of the entire area, of Jewel Cave National Monument. However, firefighting measures were effective enough that no structures inside the park were lost. Controlled burns in 1994 and 1999 had cleared away enough underbrush to prevent the fire from moving towards and destroying the visitor center and surrounding buildings. The Jewel Cave Ranger Station, a historic log cabin, was foamed multiple times to keep it from burning. The park remained closed until September 2, when the forest was satisfied that the fire was safely contained.
The fire burned much of the natural habitat for various native species, including deer, turkeys, elk, coyotes, porcupines, squirrels, and bobcats. However, it increased the natural habitat for insects and woodpeckers, which thrive in snags. One pregnant mountain lion that was being tracked by a United States Geological Survey research group was killed in the fire.
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2000 Jasper Fire
The Jasper Fire was a wildfire that occurred between August 24 and September 25, 2000, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, United States. Burning a total of 83,508 acres (33,794 ha; 337.94 km2) across the southern hills, it is the largest wildfire in both state and Black Hills history. It burned over 90% of the total land area of Jewel Cave National Monument. As of 2024[update], efforts to replenish the natural vegetation inside the burn scar are still ongoing.
The cause of the fire was later determined to be arson. Janice Stevenson of Newcastle, Wyoming, was arrested and accused of setting the fire by way of dropping a lit match and failing to put it out. In 2001, Stevenson pled guilty to second-degree arson and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
On August 24, 2000, a motorist, later identified as Janice Stevenson of Newcastle, Wyoming, stopped to use the bathroom on the side of U.S. Highway 16 near Jasper Cave Road, just west of Jewel Cave. She lit a cigarette and threw the lit match on the ground, which ignited the grass. Reportedly, Stevenson noticed the fire and drove away.
The fire was reported at 2:18 p.m. the same day. Hot and dry conditions, low humidity, and heavy ground litter allowed the fire to spread rapidly, and shifting winds spread the fire in multiple directions. At its peak, the fire burned 100 acres (40 ha) per minute. On August 26, the fire burned 48,000 acres (19,000 ha; 190 km2). Over 1,100 firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze.
The fire was declared contained on September 8 at 6:00 p.m. and was officially deemed controlled on September 25.
Overall, the fire burned 83,508 acres (33,794 ha; 337.94 km2) of forest, making it the largest wildfire in both South Dakota and Black Hills history. It stretched across parts of Custer and Pennington Counties. The Jasper Fire was 25% larger than any other reported fire in the Black Hills. Of land use in the Black Hills National Forest, 52,472 acres (21,235 ha) in Hell Canyon Ranger District, 26,294 acres (10,641 ha) in Mystic Ranger District, and 2,836 acres (1,148 ha) of private land burned. 27% of the impacted area was so severely burned that all trees were destroyed and ecological succession was reset. Multiple summer houses and cabins were also destroyed. Overall, the fire incurred around $9 million in firefighting costs and caused an estimated $42 million in overall damages.
The fire burned 1,279 acres (518 ha), about 90% of the entire area, of Jewel Cave National Monument. However, firefighting measures were effective enough that no structures inside the park were lost. Controlled burns in 1994 and 1999 had cleared away enough underbrush to prevent the fire from moving towards and destroying the visitor center and surrounding buildings. The Jewel Cave Ranger Station, a historic log cabin, was foamed multiple times to keep it from burning. The park remained closed until September 2, when the forest was satisfied that the fire was safely contained.
The fire burned much of the natural habitat for various native species, including deer, turkeys, elk, coyotes, porcupines, squirrels, and bobcats. However, it increased the natural habitat for insects and woodpeckers, which thrive in snags. One pregnant mountain lion that was being tracked by a United States Geological Survey research group was killed in the fire.