26.20.160 Campfires

(a) The Tribal Chairman may declare a Severe Drought Emergency Declaration, or Burn Ban and Fire Emergency Declaration for lands within the territory and jurisdiction of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

(b) Any declaration by the Tribal Chairman shall take effect immediately, upon being signed and placed in the local newspaper, and shall be in full force and effect until conditions warrant a revocation, or until stated on the drought or fire emergency declaration.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons during a declared Severe Drought Emergency Declaration or Burn Ban and Fire Emergency Declaration to set fire to, cause to be set fire to, suffer, kindle or maintain any fire on or near any wildlands, forest, brush, grassland, or slough; or to burn any trash or debris in or near any forest, brush, grassland on lands within the jurisdiction of the Turtle Mountain Tribe. Exceptions shall be allowed for burning operations conducted by trained fire personnel for wildfire control and authorized prescribed fires for forest, range and wildlife management.

(d) Any person violating any of the provisions of Section 26.20.150 during a declared drought or fire emergency commits a Class 1 offense. If the act results in an uncontrolled wildfire, such person shall be guilty of a Class 2 offense. If such person intentionally, willfully, or recklessly starts or maintains a fire that escapes control and destroys or damages any neighboring property or endangers firefighters, it shall be a Class 4 offense.