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County commission votes down fire danger emergency resolution
Summary
The Brookings County Commission considered Resolution 26‑07 (declaring a fire danger emergency and prohibiting open burning) but the motion failed on a roll call after commissioners cited recent snowfall and local moisture conditions.
The Brookings County Commission voted on March 3, 2026 on Resolution 26‑07, which would have declared a fire danger emergency in the county and prohibited open burning. The motion was discussed and then taken to roll call; a majority voted against the resolution and it failed.
Commissioners who opposed the resolution cited recent snowfall and local moisture that reduced near‑term fire risk and said they preferred continued public awareness and careful monitoring of controlled burns rather than a formal ban. One commissioner noted a recent fire south of the county as a cautionary example for vigilance but still opposed the emergency prohibition.
The sheriff and a commissioner both recommended continued public outreach about controlled burns and using existing red‑flag warnings and dispatch notifications to manage risk. No supplemental restrictions were passed and no enforcement changes were made at the meeting.
