MEADE COUNTY, S.D. — The Meade County Commission on Wednesday issued an open fire burn ban for Meade County.
Meade County has enacted Ordinance No. 27: Regulating Fireworks, Campfires and other Incendiary Devices.
Meade County is suffering from moderate drought conditions due to significantly low moisture, late frost conditions, extreme heat, and strong winds, and the county has a substantial amount of vegetation and timbered property, increasing the potential fuel for a fire.
South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) § 7-8-20(18) authorizes the Meade County Commission to prohibit or restrict open burning, after consultation with local fire officials and law enforcement officials, in order to protect the public health and safety.
Open Fire means any outdoor fire, including campfires, that is not contained within a fully enclosed fire box or structure from which the products of combustion are emitted directly to the open atmosphere without passing through a stack, duct or chimney. Open Fire shall not include charcoal grills, liquid fuel grills and burn barrel.
The Open Fire Ban will be in place until fire conditions improve and the Meade County Commission takes action to remove the ban.
