SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Decades of reforestation follow South Dakota's most devastating Black Hills fire
This week in South Dakota history: May 8-14
A Wyoming arsonist awaited sentencing after starting the largest forest fire in South Dakota history a quarter century ago.
According to the May 13, 2001, edition of the Argus Leader, more than 80,000 acres of forest were destroyed in the Jasper Fire near Jewel Cave National Monument. And following a multi-state investigation that came after unprecedented fire suppression deployments, Janice Stevenson admitted to visiting the area on Aug. 24, 2000, when she lit a cigarette, dropped a match and watched as fire spread across the ground before driving away.
