Fire managers for the Black Hills National Forest will continue to light slash piles because recent snows have made conditions perfect for burning, according to a news release from forest headquarters in Custer.

Hell Canyon Ranger District will burn slash piles on 239 acres in the Pleasant Timber Sale and on 15 acres in the Wabash Timber Sale. These two areas are located west and southwest of Custer. Burning will continue through Friday, Jan. 25.

Mystic Ranger District will burn slash piles in three areas. The 77-acre Bullock area is one mile south of the Seth Bullock Lookout. The Maverick area is 165 acres and is two miles west of Sheridan Lake. Hollow area is two miles southwest of Rockerville on the north side of U.S. Highway 16. Burning will continue through this weekend.

Smoke will be visible, and smoldering material may continue to burn for a week after burning operations are completed, according to the news release.

Forest crews remove woody debris on the forest floor in an effort to improve forest health and reduce danger from wildfire.

For more information, visit the forest Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.