March 26, 2025: The current U.S. Drought Monitor (March 20, 2025) shows the majority of South Dakota is considered to be in the Moderate or Severe Drought categories with areas in the southwest falling into the Extreme Drought category. Add the dry conditions to blustery winds and Pierre Rural Fire Department Chief Doug Hinkle says it creates conditions where fires can start easily and spread quickly. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2025/03/032625-hinkle1.mp3 In Hughes County, Hinkle says a burn ban goes into effect when certain criteria are met. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2025/03/032625-hinkle2.mp3 Hinkle says anyone in the Pierre area planning a controlled burn should call Central South Dakota Communications dispatch center to let them know the time and location of the burn. He said the “heads up” notification helps prevent unnecessary call outs for local fire departments. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2025/03/032625-hinkle3.mp3 The Central South Dakota Communications dispatch center’s phone number is 605-773-7410.   March 25, 2025: Lack of rain or snow this winter, unseasonably warm temperatures and windy conditions have combined to create conditions where a grass fire can easily start and spread very quickly. Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan says sparks escaping from burning trash have caused fires in dry, grassy areas and in fields. He said the most recent example happened in Blunt on Tuesday morning (March 25, 2025, around 10:30am). Callahan says sparks from a burn barrel ignited dry grass, with gusty winds causing it to spread quickly. He says the fire nearly surrounded a home and came within inches of the structure. Hughes County ordinance prohibits burning when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for the area or when the Grassland Fire Danger Index for the area is rated at Very High or Extreme. Callahan says anyone planning a controlled burn should call the Central South Dakota Communications dispatch center to let them know the time and location of the burn. The “heads up” notification helps prevent unnecessary call out for local fire departments. The dispatch center’s phone number is 605-773-7410. Photo credit: Hughes County Sheriff’s Office. Photo credit: Hughes County Sheriff’s Office. Photo credit: Hughes County Sheriff’s Office. Photo credit: Hughes County Sheriff’s Office. ...read more read less