“We must abide by the burn ban set in place”
Despite the inconvenience of responding to a fire in the middle of an annual Wessington Springs Volunteer Fire Department (WSVFD) fundraiser at the fire hall, WSVFD Fire Chief Eric Schroeder said firefighters are prepared to respond to the call at any time, day or night. What is frustrating, however, is when blazes are caused by controlled burns during a county-wide burn ban, as was the case of two fires Saturday morning, April 19, 2025.
“When people’s property and loved ones are in danger because of dry conditions, we must abide by the burn ban set in place,” Schroeder said.
The Jerauld County Commission Board enacted a Burn Ban effective March 30, 2025. Pursuant to SDCL7-18A-2 the penalty for violating this resolution shall include a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars for each violation and/ or by imprisonment for a period to not exceed thirty days for each violation, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The resolution is available for review at the Jerauld County Auditor’s office.