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Lawrence County adopts amended open‑burning ordinance; restrictions take effect May 29
Summary
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on April 28 adopted amendments to Ordinance No. 2025‑01 that restrict open fires north of Interstate 90 when the National Weather Service Grassland Fire Danger Index is HIGH or higher; the ordinance includes penalties up to $500 or 30 days and becomes effective May 29, 2026.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners voted April 28 to adopt amended Ordinance No. 2025‑01, providing updated definitions and restrictions on open burning in the county. The board followed the recommendation of Paul Thomson, Emergency Management Director, to prohibit open fires north of Interstate 90 when the National Weather Service Grassland Fire Danger Index is HIGH, VERY HIGH or EXTREME. The ordinance was adopted on second reading and is scheduled to become effective May 29, 2026.
Key changes in the amended ordinance add detailed definitions (for "open fire," "burn barrel," "campground," and related terms), require prior notification to Lawrence County Dispatch before planned burns, and set minimum safety zones (for example, burn barrels must have a metal grate and be in a 15‑foot cleared area). The ordinance also sets penalties for violations of up to $500 and/or 30 days' imprisonment per SDCL authority cited in the ordinance. The board recorded the first and second readings on April 14 and April 28, 2026, respectively, and published the ordinance May 2 and 9, 2026.
