Update: Prescribed fire Waubay NWR burns 405 acres in Day County since May 2

Published May 20, 2026 #Waubay nwr rx fire

Updated: 3:40 p.m. May 20

Started: 18 days ago, 9:46 a.m. May 2

Initial location: Day County, S.D.

Fire type: Prescribed

Fire name: Waubay NWR

The pile burning project, called Waubay NWR, was initiated 9:46 a.m. May 2 at in Day County, South Dakota.

Since it was initiated 18 days ago, the prescribed fire has burned 405 acres of federal land managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Prescribed fire (prescribed burn) is a wildfire prevention method that involves burning an area of land in a controlled manner to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Source: National Interagency Fire Center