(Spirit Lake)– If you live in Dickinson county and have a pile of leaves or other things burning right now, you’d better dowse it with water.
A ban on all open burning is in effect in Dickinson county util further notice. It went into effect at 5:00 p.m. today (Tues.).
The ban was implemented by the State Fire Marshall at the request of Dickinson county’s Fire Chiefs.
The extremely dry, abnormally warm conditions have created a very high danger across the region. Area fire departments have been busy the past several days battling numerous field and grass fires. Many of them were caused by leaf fires that got out of control.
A fire Monday on the northwest side of West Lake Okoboji destroyed a carport and damaged the exterior of a cabin. Another fire Monday morning damaged the Country Club Motel in Okoboji. Authorities say both blazes were the result of leaf fires that got out of control or re-kindled in the strong wind.
Officials say the ban on all open burning in Dickinson county will be strictly enforced by police and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone caught burning will be subject to a misdemeanor…and your fire will be snuffed out.
