The study was conducted in the northwest corner of Wind Cave National Park in southeastern South Dakota. Bordering the site to the north and west is a park perimeter fence.
Gravel roads occur south and northeast of the site.
A major paved highway through the park, SD 87, provided a fuelbreak on the east side of the study site. Two distinct plant communities were present on the ridge and meadow sites. Green needlegrass and blue grama were common. Aspect is level. Objectives were to control ponderosa pine encroachment onto grassland and to evaluate effects of burning in different seasons.