South Dakota Campground Operators Say Fire Ban Hurt Business

Some Black Hills, S.D., campground operators say their businesses have been hurt by the ban on campfires and charcoal grills imposed during this summer’s drought.

Doug Carrick of Wolf Camp in Keystone says camping isn’t really camping without a campfire. He says the ban has hurt tent camping, recreational vehicle camping and sales in the campground’s store.

Bruce Briesemeister, owner of Kemp’s Kamp near Mount Rushmore, also says the number of tent campers has dropped in the past six weeks because they cannot cook meals or have campfires.

The Rapid City Journal reports that the Pennington County Commission is likely to consider reducing the restrictions as temperatures cool and the fire danger drops. But any change would come just as the summer tourism season is wrapping up.