Dry conditions continue, extreme caution still urged when burning

The lack of snow cover and dormant grasses continue to create a high fire danger across the area. At this time, a ban on open burning is not being implemented by the fire chiefs of Dickinson County; however, they offer these tips:

• Before burning
• Check the weather forecast and pay particular attention to the wind forecast for the entire time you expect the fire to be ongoing. This information is available online at www.weather.gov or by listening to local media outlets or NOAA weather radio broadcasts.
• Have enough water on hand to extinguish the fire should it begin to spread or get out of control.
• Check the surroundings of the burn area – refrain from burning near tall grasses, groves, or anywhere that a fire can rapidly spread. The best burn site is surrounded by gravel or dirt.
• Contact the Communications Center at 712-336-2525 to let the dispatcher know you plan to burn. Be prepared to give the address where the fire will take place as well as your name and a phone number where you can be contacted.
• While burning
• ALWAYS supervise the fire...do not light the fire and leave.
• Keep the area around the fire watered down to keep it from spreading.
• After burning
• Make sure the fire is completely extinguished. Drown the ashes in water, turn with a shovel, and drown again.
• Contact the Communications Center and let them know the burning is completed.
• Check the burn area over the next couple days to make sure it's completely out.

For more information, you may contact your local fire chief through the Communications Center. Call 712-336-2525.