Effective immediately, all burning within Beadle County is prohibited until burning restrictions are lifted.
The Beadle County Commission, after consultation with Beadle County Emergency Management has authorized a county wide burn ban in any and all of the unincorporated areas of Beadle County. Factors contributing to the burn ban include:
The expanding number of contiguous counties to Beadle County that have enacted similar burn bans. They include Spink, Hand and Jerauld Counties.
At least two county fire departments, Hitchcock and Wessington, requesting a ban be enacted.
Review of the latest US Drought Monitor map, showing all of Beadle County as “abnormally dry” and nearly half of the county as in “moderate” drought.
Weather forecasts that show limited chances for rain and extreme heat.
This ban is a life-safety issue for volunteer firefighters due to the extreme expected heat and difficult working conditions expected due to above normal temperatures. The penalty for violating the burn ban is a $500 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail.