Effective April 21, 2015, Lake County, South Dakota adopted an open burning ordinance. The general provision of this ordinance states that open burning (with exceptions listed in the ordinance) is prohibited when the National Weather Service places a RED FLAG WARNING for the county or the GRASSLAND FIRE DANGER INDEX for the county is Very High or Extreme. The links below will take you to the National Weather Service Sioux Falls Office website for both of these ratings. Please note that the first link may show multiple dangers for a county/region such as a freeze warning.

Hazardous Weather website that includes RED FLAG WARNINGS for Lake County:

Grassland Fire Danger Index page:

You can also call the Sioux Falls office at (605) 330-4247 to request this information.

Burning Ordinance

Ordinance #15-59

For questions, you may also contact the Emergency Manager at 605-256-7611.

Announcements

Absentee Voting has started for the Republican Party Runoff Election
Friday, June 12, 2026

Open June 12th- July 27th at 5:00PM. Voting hours are from 8-5pm Monday through Friday at the Lake County Courthouse, 1st floor.

Republican Runoff Election will be held July 28th 2026!
Friday, June 12, 2026

Election hours will be 7am - 7pm at voters respective precincts. Last day to change registration for Republican Runoff is July 13th, 2026. For a copy of the sample ballot please click here.
June - License Plate Renewal K/L
Monday, June 1, 2026

Vehicle License plate renewal for vehicle owners with the FIRST letter in their LAST NAME that begins with K or L.
Drivers Exam closed
Monday, February 23, 2026

Due to staffing, the drivers exam, located at the 4-H grounds, is closed until further notice

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