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County administrator defends season-long burn restrictions as Horace residents ask for clearer guidance
Summary
Cass County administrator Robert Wilson explained a season-long fire emergency/burn restriction policy tied to the state's rangeland fire-danger rating; Horace council members asked staff for clearer language on what "controlled" burns and patio devices are allowed and for better public communication about the rules and exemptions.
Robert Wilson, Cass County administrator, told Horace City Council members on April 20 that the county's seasonal fire emergency and burn-restriction language is driven by public-safety advice from state DES and area fire chiefs and takes effect when the North Dakota rangeland fire danger rating is high, very high, extreme, or a red-flag warning is issued.
Wilson said the declaration is largely identical to the version used the previous three years and that the intent is to give first responders better ability to protect residents when conditions change quickly. "The declaration itself ... says that a fire emergency and burn restrictions will be effective when the North Dakota rangeland fire danger rating is high, very high, or an extreme rating and or a red flag warning has been issued for Cass County," he explained.
Council members and residents asked for clearer wording after some people read the policy to mean that typical backyard wood fires, burn barrels and bonfires would be banned for the entire season. Wilson and county staff clarified the ordinance's exclusions: controlled devices such as gas grills, gas patio fireplaces and chimneys, gas camp stoves and gas or charcoal grills are permitted when on a hard non-organic surface at least 15 feet from vegetation and with water or an extinguisher available.
"Patio fireplaces ... as long as you have your preventative measures such as fire extinguishers and waters," a county representative said, adding that embers and proximity to vegetative fuels are the chief hazards the ordinance aims to prevent.
Sheriff's office and fire representatives emphasized a graduated enforcement approach. The sheriff said violations technically are class B misdemeanors (up to 30 days and $1,500), but enforcement will prioritize education, common-sense assessment of risk and consistent application of the rule.
Council directed city staff to coordinate written communications with county officials to make clear examples of allowed vs. prohibited activity (e.g., small patio fire devices on a brick patio, 15-foot vegetation buffer, available extinguisher) and to reduce public confusion.
