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 Institutes Immediate Burn Ban

The Meade County Commission met in emergency session today to initiate an immediate county-wide burn ban.  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.