Meade County Fire Danger for Sunday, September 23, 2012

Prairie Area - Central (Meade County)

Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high fire danger class. Direct attack is rarely possible and may be dangerous except immediately after ignition. Fires that develop headway in heavy slash or in conifer strands may be unmanageable while the extreme burning condition lasts. Under these conditions the only effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes or the fuel supply lessens.

Black Hills Area - Central Hills (Meade County)

Fires start easily from all caused and , immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels.

Meade County Fire Danger for Saturday, September 22, 2012

Fires start easily from all caused and , immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels.

Meade County "Burn Ban" Still in Effect

BURN BAN:

This ban is automatically enacted when the National Weather Service’s Fire Danger Index reaches the Very High or greater categories and is automatically suspended when it falls below the Very High category.

Open fires are banned between July 28 and Aug 18 of any year as well as fireworks unless approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Not Allowed: Any Open Flame including Campfires & Fireworks.

Allowed: Charcoal and liquid fuel grills that are are a metal or stone device with the fire box that is not resting on the ground with a metal grate designed to cook food.

For more information please refer to Meade County ORDINANCE NO. 27.

Meade County Institutes Immediate "Burn Ban"

Sturgis, SD – The Meade County Commission met in emergency session today to initiate an immediate county-wide burn ban and fireworks restriction. Due to the extreme fire dangers that exist, we immediately institute a burn ban in Meade County, until it is deemed by the commission that conditions have improved. The Fireworks Restriction is effective immediately until July 5, 2012. 

The restrictions are linked with the National Weather Service’s Grassland Fire Index.  The Fireworks Ban is effective when the index reaches the very high or extreme category. The Fire Index changes daily depending on rain, temperatures, and humidity. The fire index may be found online at - http://www.crh.noaa.gov/unr/firewx/rfd.php

There are different definitions and regulations that are entailed within the open burning allowance which include details on fireworks, campfires, and other incendiary devices. Open burning is defined as a burn barrel, open fires such as a camp fires that are not contained within a fully enclosed box or structure.  For more information please refer to the Meade County Ordinance NO. 27 - which can be found at www.meadecounty.org.  

Meade County Rescinds Burn Ban; Effective Immediately

The Meade County Commission met in session today to rescind the county-wide burn ban. Refer to Meade County Ordinance No. 27 for fire regulations for Meade County.

Tornado Warning System Test- April 25th

 A statewide tornado drill will be conducted for South Dakota by the National Weather Service between 9:00 and 9:30 am MDT (10:00 and 10:30 am CDT) on Wednesday, April 25.  Because the exercise is used to ensure communications and warning systems are functioning properly before storm season, people will see and hear the alerts used for tornadoes. Outdoor warning sirens will be sounded in many towns.  The sirens may not be heard inside homes and office buildings, as they are intended to alert people who are outdoors away from radio or TV.  The drill will also include activation of the Emergency Alert System, which will interrupt local media broadcasts.  The public should be aware that the scroll on television will look like a real warning, while the audio will be identified as a test. Local emergency response agencies may practice their response procedures and schools will conduct safety drills for their students. Individuals do not need to take any action during the drill, but they are encouraged to make plans to protect themselves and their families before storms develop.  Don’t wait until the storm is headed toward you as there won’t be time.  Information about storm safety is available from county emergency management offices or visit the following web sites: The Rapid City National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/rapidcity Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross at www.blackhillsredcross.org and the South Dakota Department of Health at www.bReadySD.com.