Monday saw the fire danger index in Rapid City at the Extreme Danger level, and fire officials say the burn ban will remain in effect while the fire danger index is Very High or greater.

Lt. Brent Long says, "Anything that basically that you're going to be burning wood or debris in, those are things that embers can escape from. Embers can get out of those things and ignite a fire."

Long says the ban will automatically be suspended when the fire danger index falls below the Very High category.

-Al Van Zee