On Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Pageant Park in Custer, South Dakota, spectators observed a burning beetle at the 11th annual Burning Beetle event. The event, initiated in response to the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation from a few years back, persists in raising awareness about the beetles' impact. The scene captured in a photograph by Matt Gade from Rapid City Journal via AP shows the beetle ablaze.
In an annual winter tradition that draws attention to the ecological threat posed by the mountain pine beetle in the Black Hills, residents of Custer, South Dakota, gathered for the 11th Burning Beetle Fest. The event, reported by the Rapid City Journal, featured a procession of hundreds carrying torches to set fire to a towering wooden beetle effigy. Custer's firefighters facilitated the event, cautioning participants against throwing torches as the effigy blazed amid rhythmic drum beats and chants of "Burn, beetle, burn." Fireworks illuminated the night sky, adding a festive touch to the occasion.
The Burning Beetle Fest, more than a fiery spectacle, encompasses a talent show and a "bug crawl," contributing to the local arts scene. Beyond the entertainment, the event serves as a platform to raise awareness about the persistent threat posed by the mountain pine beetle to the forested lands of the Black Hills.
The U.S. Forest Service characterizes the mountain pine beetle as the most aggressive and destructive bark beetle in the western United States and Canada. The Black Hills have witnessed multiple outbreaks of the beetle since the 1890s, with the most recent occurring from 1996 to 2016, affecting a substantial 703 square miles (1820 square kilometres), according to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
This unique and symbolic gathering not only kindles community spirit but also emphasizes the ongoing challenge posed by the mountain pine beetle to the delicate ecosystem of the Black Hills. The Burning Beetle Fest succeeds in blending environmental consciousness with local cultural expression.
