Caution: Fire Danger Extreme

Good evening District 27. This past week I have been busy putting up campaign signs across the district and I have been getting positive feedback from various people who have seen them.

In this post, I want to draw your attention to the importance of supporting our first responders and firefighters who stop what they are doing to respond to the urgent needs within our small-town communities across District 27.

While putting up my signs this past week in multiple pastures along major roadways, I noticed how dry it was. I also saw the fire danger warnings posted in the red zone (extreme) at the Interior and Martin volunteer fire departments. The grass is tall in many parts of the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Eastern Pennington, Bennett, and Jackson Counties. While on my way to put up a sign north of Manderson, I drove Gooseneck Road and saw the devastation from the aftermath of the wildfire that swept through there on September 12th. You can view the photos from the fire here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/F39Vr1tWnxkuFj1H/

With temperatures in the high 90s and low 100s this past week, 20+ mph winds, and low humidity, the conditions are ideal for a prairie fire. Several friends within my men’s fraternal group have informed me that they have been called to put out fires in various parts of the district during the night hours. I admire their determination to protect our communities.

Please pay attention to your surroundings and report anything suspicious that looks out of the ordinary as the conditions are ideal for an arsonist who is tempted to play with fire. I would hate to see a fire that would destroy a whole community as it did over a year ago in Lahaina, Hawaii. A small fire could get out of control quickly with the wind gusts blowing in this dry environment. With harvest season about to get underway, our farmers need to pay particular attention so that the equipment does not start a fire from a spark. Likewise, our electric cooperative must be prepared to respond quickly so that no downed power lines cause a fire. Finally, pray for much-needed rain. We could use some to lower the fire danger.

Again, thank you to all the firefighters and first responders across this vast district. You are the backbone of protecting our small-town communities. Lastly, I will be out supporting one of our local VFDs by attending the hog roast at the Long Valley Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, October 5th. I look forward to seeing you there. God bless.