Brookings County adopts temporary fire-danger emergency, limits open burning

The Brookings County Commission on April 7 approved Resolution 26-11 declaring a fire-danger emergency and prohibiting open burning across much of the county.

The board voted after discussion about local fire conditions and the need to balance agricultural prescribed burns with public safety. County development staff noted recent fires and told commissioners, “So you can enact it. If moisture and the conditions improve, you can resend it and take it off at any time.” Commissioners discussed permitting and exceptions; the ordinance allows controlled or prescribed burns when the local fire chief approves and when callers notify dispatch in advance.

Several commissioners said the measure adds a layer of protection without banning all burning. One commissioner said the red-flag rule already makes burning illegal on high-risk days and urged better public notification of those warnings. Another commissioner described a recent fire that underscored the need for monitoring after ignition: “embers jumped out… and it could have been a big mess.”

The resolution passed on a roll-call vote. Staff said the county will publicize the ban and note that residents may request a controlled-burn permit through the local fire chief or the nonemergency dispatch line.