Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brookings County approves temporary open-burning ban amid dry conditions
Summary
The Brookings County Commission on April 7 declared a fire danger emergency and prohibited open burning without a written permit, citing low moisture. The resolution passed 4-1 after commissioners debated whether short-term burn bans are effective.
The Brookings County Board of County Commissioners voted April 7 to declare a fire danger emergency and prohibit open burning without a written permit under Ordinance #2009-02, citing a lack of current moisture countywide.
Commissioner Larry Jensen, who moved the resolution, said the step was necessary for "the immediate preservation of public safety" and cited SDCL 7-18A-8 as the legal basis. Commissioner Doug Post objected to the approach, saying, "I don't think having burn bans on a two to three weeks basis are very effective to allow the people to use a fire in an effective way." Commissioner Kelly VanderWal and Sheriff Marty Stanwick both voiced support for the ban. The roll call vote was Miller, Jensen, VanderWal and Hostler "aye"; Post "no."
The resolution directs that until rescinded by the board, all open burning defined in the county ordinance is prohibited without a prior written permit. The text of Resolution #26-11 references the county ordinance and notes the resolution is effective immediately. The board did not set a sunset date; the resolution remains in force until the board rescinds it. The public is advised that incorporated municipalities within the county are excluded from the county's ban unless their local governments take similar action.
The next procedural step is implementation by county staff and public notification; no specific enforcement actions were described during the meeting. The board returned to other agenda items after the vote.
