“Potential risks to the park itself and to the health and safety of employees and visitors associated with the fireworks demonstration continue to be a concern and are still being evaluated as a result of the 2020 event,” said the National Park Service.
Continue readingRain followed the fireworks at Mount Rushmore
Almost one-fifth inch fell shortly after the fireworks ended
Continue readingFire behavior analyst calculates the probability of embers from Mount Rushmore fireworks igniting wildfires
Fireworks are scheduled for Mount Rushmore after 9 p.m. MDT July 3.
Continue readingWill the danger of wildfires prevent or postpone the July 3 Mount Rushmore fireworks?
The National Park Service will not disclose their criteria for cancellation due to fire danger
Continue readingEPA declines to regulate toxic chemical left at Mount Rushmore after 11 years of fireworks
Perchlorate, which is now in the water at the park after fireworks shows, has been linked to fetal and infant brain damage
Continue readingTwo firefighters were injured while suppressing one of the 10 fires started by Mount Rushmore fireworks in 2000
The fire burned several acres and required a 20-person crew and a helicopter to suppress
Continue readingEstimated cost for prescribed fire at Mount Rushmore fireworks site was $30,000
The President said he would attend the event July 3 event
Continue readingAerial photos of the prescribed fire at Mount Rushmore
Yesterday a pilot from Colorado was flying to Rapid City and grabbed some photos of the prescribed fire at Mount Rushmore.
“Just shot with my iPhone so sorry for the quality,” said Matt Danilchick. “I didn’t expect to see it!”
Actually, the quality was very good, Matt. Thanks! They were taken at about 4:11 p.m. April 29, 2020. Judging from the photos and the time of day, the ignition was probably about 80 to 90 percent complete.
Prescribed can be an excellent method for restoring fire as a natural component of an ecosystem, and reducing hazardous fuels. As far as we can determine, this was the first ever broadcast prescribed fire at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. One worker at the prescribed fire told a photographer that it was conducted to prepare for the July 3 fireworks. On at least two occasions, May 7, 2019 and December 18, 2019, President Trump said fireworks were going to be restored at Mount Rushmore long before the Environmental Assessment process was finished.
Professional photographer Paul Horsted also shot photos of the prescribed fire, but from the ground.
Park Service conducts prescribed fire at Mount Rushmore
One firefighter said it was to prepare for the July 3 fireworks show
Continue readingNational Park Service decides to explode fireworks over the Mount Rushmore sculpture
The Environmental Assessment released today led to a finding of “no significant impact” from the fireworks that were announced by President Trump May 7, 2019
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