Dell Rapids Fire-Rescue

03/28/2026

FIRE DANGER TODAY

The areas highlighted in RED are under critical fire danger today. Conditions are extremely dry and even the smallest spark can quickly turn into a fast-moving fire.

DO NOT burn anything today.

Winds and low humidity make today very dangerous.

Please take this seriously and avoid anything that could create a spark. Stay safe and help protect your neighbors and your property.

03/25/2026

01/23/2026

Please read this warning.

12/15/2025

With cooler temperatures expected, some may want to use their small space heaters. If so, DO NOT plug them into a power strip. These devices are not designed to handle the energy load of a space heater and can overheat causing a fire hazard. Please Share.

08/15/2025

Come visit the Dell Rapids ambulance on August 17th and tell them thank you for 50
years of dedicated service to our community.

06/06/2025

A new ‘Move Over’ law goes into effect July 1. The new law says if you are approaching a vehicle that is stopped or on the shoulder of the highway and using amber, yellow or blue warning lights, you must merge into the lane farthest from that vehicle and proceed with caution, or, if on a two lane highway, at least 300 feet before that vehicle, slow to a speed at least 20 mph less than the posted speed limit, or 5 mph if the limit is 20 mph or less. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor and has a minimum fine of $270. If you are a violator AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT with a stopped emergency vehicle using its red signals or ANY vehicle using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights while stopped or on the shoulder, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying increased penalties.

Read the law: https://tinyurl.com/5n8zftxv

06/04/2025

Have you heard the news? On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, South Dakota’s Move Over Law is changing!

Below is an excerpt from the updated SDCL 32-31-6.1 (South Dakota’s Move Over Law):

“Upon approaching from any direction any vehicle that is either stopped or occupying the shoulder of the highway, and using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights, the driver of any other motor vehicle must:

If driving on an Interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction as the vehicle, merge into the lane farthest from the vehicle at least three hundred feet before the vehicle and proceed with caution, unless otherwise directed.”

This includes moving over for tow truck drivers, law enforcement officers, highway maintenance workers, and others using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights who may be out of their vehicles and conducting work on the shoulder of our roadways.

The road is their office. Let’s do our part to make sure they go home safely at the end of their shift!

Visit https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-31-6.1 for additional information.

05/11/2025

Red flag warning tomorrow!! DO NOT BURN and watch old burn piles for re-ignition!

04/15/2025

On Tuesday April 15, 2025, Minnehaha County Commission enacted a burn ban for rural Minnehaha County. This was enacted due to the extreme dry conditions in Minnehaha County. Minnehaha County
has not received measurable precipitation since late March, early April when the previous burn ban was rescinded. Wednesday April 16th is expected to be dry and windy which will enhance the fire danger.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of future rain and thunderstorms, however amounts and locations are too far out to determine. The Minnehaha County Commission, Rural Fire Chiefs and Emergency Management will monitor these conditions to determine when the burn ban
should be rescinded.

This ordinance prohibits open burning. The exception is the burning of such substances in a container sufficient so as to prohibit the escape of any of the burning substance, or any sparks, flames or hot ashes from the container. A violation of this ordinance is a class II Misd. This ordinance does not include
municipalities within Minnehaha County. The ordinance is attached to this press release which provides more details.

04/07/2025

Minnehaha County Tornado Drill Scheduled for Wednesday

The annual tornado drill will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. in Minnehaha County as part of South Dakota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. Schools, businesses, and residents are encouraged to practice their severe weather plans during the drill. Warning sirens located in Minnehaha County will be activated at 10:15 a.m. during the drill. This drill is done in coordination with the City of Sioux Falls.

Drill Schedule:
• Tornado Watch Issued​10:00 a.m.
• Tornado Warning Issued​10:15 a.m. (outdoor sirens activated)
• End of Drill​10:30 a.m.

Preparation and practice are incredibly important as we enter another severe weather season. We encourage everyone, and especially those who are responsible for the most vulnerable in our community, to understand what their plans are and know how to apply them.

04/03/2025

Please Share

Starting Monday April 7th at 7:00 PM the Outdoor Warning Sirens located outside of Sioux Falls city limits within Minnehaha County will be tested. These tests will continue on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM

The previous tests were scheduled on​ the first Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM. Throughout the years the Minnehaha County Rural Fire Departments have graciously taken on the responsibility of ensuring the sirens are working and reporting to Metro Communications. The Minnehaha County Fire Chiefs Association has recommended changing the date and time to the first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. This decision was made in coordination with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Division.