If you see clouds of smoke rising in the distance south of Custer or south of Faith in the days ahead,don't be too alarmed.

The south Dakota wildland Fire suppression Division and a number of other firefighting agencies will be conducting a pair of prescribed burns today.

The first will be about four miles west and 10 miles south of Custer along Pleasant Valley Road and the 18 Mile Road. About 500 acres are scheduled to burn.

According to a news release from the wiland Fire Suppression Division, the burn is desinged to help improve wildlife habitat in the area.

Crews from South Dakota Wildland Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Wind Cave National Park, local volunteer fire departments and the state Game, Fish & Parks will help conduct the burn, which is being sponsored by GF&P and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

On Sunday, firefighters will be conducting a prescribed burn three miles south of Faith. More than 200 acres will be burned near Durkee Lake Recreation Area.

Crews involved in this burn include fire departments from Faith, Lemon, Ennings, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and South Dakota Wildland Fire.