8/17/2007

Fort Robinson State Park Activities Continue - Tom Keith

FORT ROBINSON STATE PARK , Neb. – The Soldier Creek National Wilderness Area (SCNWA) fires in the Pine Ridge Wednesday afternoon were confined to the United States Forest Services national wilderness area approximately seven miles from Fort Robinson State Park (F.R.S.P.) and park superintendent Mike Morava says all of the parks summer recreational activities will continue as scheduled.

Early reports indicate lightning was the cause of at least four separate fires that began last weekend when a thunderstorm passed over the region. An estimated total of 3,150 acres were damaged by the fires.

“From our park perspective, everything is continuing as scheduled, the main fires at the west end of the wilderness area are at least seven miles from the park headquarters, and were confident if the fire moves off the wilderness area that we have the resources to keep it from moving into the park,” Morava said.

Northwest Nebraskas Pine Ridge is extremely dry this year because there was very little moisture during the late winter and entire spring. The SCNWA fires began last weekend when a lightning storm moved across the region. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission firefighters, local firefighters, and U. S. Forest Service (U.S.F.S.) fire crews worked throughout the early part of the week on fire lines. T he U.S.F.S. is the lead agency coordinating fire fighting efforts which include on-going aerial applications by fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant.

For additional information on F.R.S.P.activities, contact them at (308) 665-2900.