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Walsh County amends seasonal burn ban to tie activation to rangeland fire danger and red-flag warnings
Summary
The Walsh County Commission voted to amend its seasonal burn ban so it becomes effective automatically when the rangeland fire danger rating reaches high/very high/extreme or a red-flag warning is issued, officials said. The change is intended to reduce repeated agenda items during fire season and improve public notice.
The Walsh County Commission voted May 20 to amend the county’s seasonal burn ban so the ban is automatically in effect when the rangeland fire danger index for Walsh County reaches high, very high or extreme, or when a red-flag warning has been issued.
The change, proposed by a county staff member during employee time, updates the burn-ban language so enforcement hinges on the rangeland fire danger rating rather than repeated commission action. Commissioners approved the amendment by roll call: Paul, Ernie, Amy, Kenny and the chair all voted yes.
County staff said the amended wording will allow the county to leave a burn ban in place for the season and activate or deactivate it according to the published fire-index level. The staff member told commissioners the county has used the same approach in the past and that local fire chiefs support it. She said the county posts the index on its Facebook page and that residents who opt into the county’s Everbridge notifications will receive alerts when a red-flag warning or fire watch is issued.
The county recommended residents check the rangeland fire danger map at ndresponse.gov and contact dispatch before burning so controlled burns are not mistaken for wildfires.
Commissioners said they preferred the index-triggered approach because it reduces the need for the commission to reconvene or repeatedly place the item on agendas during the burn season. The motion to approve the amendment carried on a unanimous voice/roll-call vote.
The county clerk said staff will post the amended policy on the county website and social media and share the revised language with local fire chiefs for distribution.
The change takes effect upon posting and application will depend on the published rangeland fire danger rating and National Weather Service warnings.
