RAPID CITY, S.D. – Open burning is prohibited today, Oct. 30, 2025, in Pennington County, South Dakota, as the National Weather Service Grassland Fire Danger Index has reached the Very High category.
The Very High rating indicates that cured grasses ignite readily and fires can spread rapidly with erratic behavior, creating dangerous conditions in the grasslands surrounding the Rapid City area and the eastern edge of the Black Hills.
Open Burning Restrictions Imposed
The prohibition on open burning applies to all areas of Pennington County outside of the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District and local municipalities. Prohibited activities include:
- Burn piles
- Slash burning
- Fires not enclosed
- Fires not passing through a chimney or duct stack
Any violation of the open burning restriction is punishable by a $500 fine or 30 days in jail