The Davison County Commission decided on Tuesday to keep the current burn ban in effect due to the ongoing threat of a fire danger emergency. The ban has been in effect since late October due to warm temperatures and extremely dry conditions.
When weather or other conditions exist which may make open burning unduly hazardous, the Davison County Commission may prohibit or restrict open burning after consultation with local fire officials and law enforcement officials in order to protect the public health and safety.
According to the resolution, residents may still burn:
• Fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas fueled stoves
• Fireplaces within all buildings
• Charcoal grill fires at private residences
• Permanent fire pits or fire grates located on supervised developed picnic grounds and campgrounds (which would include a private backyard fire pit)
• Fire department approved private or public fireworks displays with fire suppression standby services
According to the resolution, residents may not burn:
• Any outdoor fire (which would include burn barrels and garbage burn pits)
• Campfires
• Warning fires
• Charcoal grill fires (larger than private residence)
• Prescribed burning of fence rows, fields, wildlands, trash and debris.
• Fireworks not supervised or approved by a fire department
Any person in violation of this Resolution shall be subject to a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
Anyone with questions regarding the matter can reach the Davison County Emergency Management Office at 605-995-8640 or email at jeffb@davisoncounty.org.