SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Minnehaha County Commission has issued a burn ban Tuesday for the rural parts of the county.
The ban prohibits open burning.
The ban does not include cities and towns within the county.
Below is the news release from the County and the text of the ordinance.
News release:
On Tuesday, July 6th, the Minnehaha County Commission enacted a burn ban for rural Minnehaha County. This was enacted due to the extreme dry conditions in Minnehaha County and surrounding areas. The National Weather Service has placed Minnehaha County in a severe drought.
This ordinance prohibits open burning. An exception this this ban (sic) is the burning of such substance in a container sufficient so as to prohibit the escape of any of the burning substance, or any sparks, flames or hot ashes from the container. A violation of this ordinance is a class 2 misdemeanor. This burn ban ordinance does not include municipalities within Minnehaha County. The ordinance is attached with this press release which provides more details.
Ordinance:
ORDINANCE MC34-04
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE DECLARATION OF A FIRE DANGER EMERGENCY. BE IT ORDAINED BY MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA: Section 1. Emergency declaration.
When weather or other conditions shall exist which may make the open burning of any substance unduly hazardous and a danger to public safety, the Board may by resolution declare a “Fire Danger Emergency.”
Section 2. Open burning prohibited.
If a “Fire Danger Emergency” is declared, all open burning of any substance shall be prohibited within any or all of the unincorporated area of Minnehaha County until such time as the declaration of “Fire Danger Emergency” has been rescinded by resolution of the Board.
Section 3. Open burning defined.
For purposes of this ordinance, open burning means the intentional burning of any substance, whether natural or manmade, or the intentional casting off of any burning substance, whether natural or manmade, except the burning of such substance in a container sufficient so as to prohibit the escape of any of the burning substance, or any sparks, flames or hot ashes from the container. The escape of any of such burning substance, or the escape of any sparks, flames or hot ashes from any such container shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the container was insufficient so as to meet the exception from the definition of an open burning set forth herein. The maintaining of a fire in any interior fireplace, stove or furnace is specifically excluded from the definition of an open burning as contemplated by this ordinance.
Section 4. Penalty and remedy.
Any person that violates the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor
