Custer County declares emergency fire conditions, bans open fires effective July 27

The Custer County Board of Commissioners on July 24 approved Resolution 2026-12, declaring emergency fire conditions and establishing a countywide ban on open fires effective July 27, 2026. EMS Director Steve Esser read the resolution aloud and told commissioners he wanted the county ban to coincide with United States Forest Service (USFS) restrictions that will take effect on that date.

"USFS restrictions will go into place Monday, July 27th," Esser said, and he told the board adopting the county resolution with the same effective date "will allow him time to get messaging out to notify the public, campgrounds, Airbnb hosts, Facebook, the Chronicle, Custer Chamber of Commerce, and the Custer County website." Esser said he would forward materials to Legal Counsel Davis for review of an official press release and that staff planned additional outreach including contacting local television outlets.

Commissioner Michael Busskohl moved to approve Resolution 2026-12 with an effective date of July 27, 2026 and to permit the chairman to rescind the ban after consultation with the county Emergency Manager and other emergency services; Commissioner Craig Hindle seconded. The minutes record the vote as "all aye" and state the motion carried. The minutes list Commissioners Mark Hartman, Mike Linde, Michael Busskohl and Craig Hindle as present and note Chairman Lintz attended by telephone.

The approved resolution sets a temporary restriction on open fires countywide; the minutes and Esser's remarks indicate the county will use multiple channels to inform residents and visitors about the restriction and that Legal Counsel Davis will review the text of any press release. The chairman retains authority under the approved language to rescind the ban if conditions change or after consultations with local emergency officials.