History of Jasper Fire in Timeline

The Jasper Fire, the largest wildfire in both South Dakota and Black Hills history, raged from August 24 to September 25, 2000. Consuming 83,508 acres in the southern Black Hills, the fire devastated Jewel Cave National Monument, burning over 90% of its land. More than two decades later, efforts to restore the natural vegetation within the burn scar are still underway.

1988: Westberry Trails Fire

The unsolved 1988 Westberry Trails Fire in Rapid City, South Dakota, which destroyed 15 homes, was investigated for potential links to Janice Stevenson.

1994: Controlled Burns Conducted

Controlled burns were conducted in 1994 to reduce underbrush in Jewel Cave National Monument, a practice that would later prove crucial in mitigating the spread of the Jasper Fire.

1999: Controlled Burns Conducted

Controlled burns were conducted in 1999 to reduce underbrush in Jewel Cave National Monument, a practice that would later prove crucial in mitigating the spread of the Jasper Fire.

August 24, 2000: Jasper Fire Ignited

On August 24, 2000, Janice Stevenson accidentally ignited the Jasper Fire near Jewel Cave while carelessly discarding a lit match.

September 25, 2000: Jasper Fire Contained

The Jasper Fire, the largest wildfire in both South Dakota and Black Hills history, was contained on September 25, 2000, after burning 83,508 acres.

May 2001: Plea Agreement and Reversal

Initially, Stevenson agreed to a plea deal, but when she failed a polygraph test regarding the Westberry Trails Fire, the prosecution sought a harsher sentence.