Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association
Prescribed burns are a crucial management tool for maintaining healthy grassland ecosystems in the Great Plains. These controlled burns are used to mimic natural wildfires that were once common in these areas. Fire promotes the growth of native grasses and forbs while also reducing spread of invasive plant species such as the Easter Red Cedar. The Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association focuses on combatting cedar tree encroachment by implementing safe and successful prescribed burns on land along the Missouri River in south-central South Dakota.
Wanting to burn along the Missouri River?
If a landowner wants more information on the application process to burn along the Missouri River, please contact: Sean Kelly, Cody Grewing, Kendall Hettick or the Chamberlain GF&P Office. See contact info below.
RX Fire Specialist
Pheasants Forever
Phone: (605) 290-9835
Email: khettick@pheasantsforever.org
Address: 200 S Paul Gust RD Ste 111
Chamberlain, SD 57325
Website: pheasants forever.org
New law is a win for South Dakota landowners
in a win for conservation, HB 1001 was signed into law by South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden on Monday, March 9, 2026. The law allows adjoining landowners to burn state-owned (Title VI) ground along the Missouri River, in conjunction with landowners' private ground, if the landowner has written permission from the associated state agency, reasonable forces available to suppress the spread of the fire, and assumes all liability.
Sara Grim (Mid Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association) board member and rancher from Bonesteel said, "So many people were involved in this, it's amazing how the simplest things take the most work. I am looking forward to the spring burn season."
Woody encroachment, especially of the Eastern Red Cedar, has been identified as an issue along the Missouri River corridor, and many local ranchers and landowners have turned to prescribed fire to combat the spread of trees, as well as means to improve the health of their grasslands. However, landowners have been prevented from using the Missouri River as a firebreak since April of 2024, severely limiting the usage of prescribed fire in South Dakota.
The passage of HB 1001 is the culmination of two years of negotiations between the local landowners, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks, the Department of Public Safety, SDSU Extension and local legislators to create a piece of legislation that will allow landowners to burn their river pastures efficiently and safely.
"I think our unwillingness to give up, persistence, paid off," said MMRPBA board member Tom Hausmann.
"It has felt like a long time, and we've learned a lot about the legislative process" said MMRPBA board member Heather Hammerbeck, "but I'm excited that now the real work can start and we can get some burns done this spring and push back against the trees.
The law allows landowners to reclaim grasslands from the clutches of woodlands, and do it safely, using the river as a natural firebreak," added Hammerbeck, "and to do it without fear of legal consequences."
MMRPBA board member Doug Feltman said, "Hopefully it will allow us to stop this green glacier and let us pass our operation on to the next generation."
This article was contributed by MMRPBA board member Heather Hammerbeck, and was initially published in the Gregory Times Advocate.
HB 1001 was signed into law by South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden.
Pictured from left to right: Robert Perry and Tyler Stein of the Department of Public Safety, District 21 Representative Jim Halverson, District 26 Representative Rebecca Reimer, District 21 Representative Marty Overweg, Lt. Governor Tony VenHuizen, Governor Larry Rhoden, seated, Mid-Missouri River PBA board members Brad Christensen, Heather Hammerbeck, and Tom Hausmann, District 21 Senator Mykala Voita, MMRPBA board member, Sara Grim, SDSU Extension, Sean Kelly, and legal counsel Stacy Hegge.
Training Opportunity and Tours
Important Notice
UPDATE: MMRPBA sets new policy deadline for completing fire breaks
Hard deadline of March 1 in effect for 2027 burns
Due to the very small window to get prescribed burns done in the spring and fall, the MMRPBA is implementing a new policy on firebreaks for planned burns effective in 2025. A soft deadline of February 1 and a hard deadline of March 1 has been set that all firebreaks must be complete on burn units planned for that year. If firebreaks are not complete, that burn unit will go to the end of the burn list.
It's imperative that landowners have their firebreaks complete and burn units ready to go. Due to unpredictable weather conditions in the spring, the conditions for a burn may meet the prescription with very short notice. Having those firebreaks ready to go will ensure the best chances to complete the burn. If you have any questions on your firebreaks please contact Sean Kelly or any other MMRPBA board member. Thank you for your cooperation.
Fire Break Preparation
Live Eastern Red Cedar trees- There must be a minimum of a 150’ wide swath on the internal part of the burn unit (from fire line into the unit) that is free of cedar trees along the entire perimeter of the burn unit. Requiring a 300’ distance, if possible, on the downwind side of the burn unit.
Cutting and Stuffing cedar trees- Cutting and stuffing must not be done within 300’ of the fire line, inside or out.
Red Slash piles- All slash piles must be a least 300’ inside the burn unit, or 200’ outside the unit. Branches and single trees must be at least 100’ from the perimeter of the burn unit, inside or out.
Standing dead cedar trees- All “red” standing dead trees (with dead scales) within 200’ of the burn line, inside or out, must be removed.
Tree mulching near fire line- Trees must not be mulched within 50’ of the fire line, inside or out. Small cedars can be mulched beyond 50’ of the fire line, any cedars above 3’ should be removed to meet the 150’ wide swath requirement.
Mow line- A minimum distance of 20’ mow line with mowed grass thrown to the outside away from standing fuel load to be burned, or swathed and baled.
