RAPID CITY, S.D. – Area fire crews say they are issuing a zero tolerance policy for illegal fires as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gets underway later this week.

Most Black Hills counties have issued burn bans ahead of the Rally’s start.

They include Pennington, Meade and now Lawrence County, who announced their burn ban over the weekend.

The bans are being put into place due to the ongoing threat wildfires pose to the health, safety and property of residents.

The bans include a prohibition on campfires, charcoal grills and smoking outdoors.

In Meade County, the ban automatically goes into effect when fire danger reaches the high, very high or extreme category. Under Meade County ordinance open fires are also automatically banned for the period of fourteen days prior to and seven days after the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Fire officials over in Pennington County say they have had some issues with illegal fires and citations have been issued.