Whitney Lake boat ramp reopens

The boat ramp at Whitney Lake Wildlife Management Area has reopened following a temporary closure to support the battle against the South Fork Fire.

Conservation officers closed the ramp Sunday when scoopers, amphibious airplanes that can pick up 1,600 gallons of water by skimming a lake’s surface, began using Dawes County reservoir to refill.

As the fire grew to more than 39,000 acres in the Pine Ridge, the scoopers were among various aerial resources used to attack the blaze. With containment of the fire growing, they have been released from the scene.

Whitney is the only lake that has been closed to boats for aerial support during the fire.