Spring and early summer rains produced an abundance of grass on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland in southwest South Dakota after several years of drought. Now, as the grasses cure and the temperatures rise, the potential for fire rising, Nebraska National Forest and grasslands officials say.

Cured grasses create fine, flashy fuels that can quickly ignite into a wildfire. The Forest Service is asking grassland visitors to be aware of the potential danger. Grass and grass seeds can build up under a vehicle and in the engine compartment and ignite. Catalytic converters can start fires when vehicles are parked in tall grass.

The fire danger is currently high for the western half of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland, administered out of the Fall River Ranger District in Hot Springs. Current fire restrictions are posted online at blackhillsfirerestrictions.com.

For more fire information for the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, go to www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska/fire or call 745-4107.