Dry and windy conditions and little chance of precipitation have prompted officials in Cass County to issue a Burn Ban, which will remain in effect until further notice. The ban was instituted at 3-p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 7th), by Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, after he submitted a request which was approved by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The ban means opening burning is prohibited until the Fire Marshal deems conditions in the county are such that open burning no longer constitutes a danger to life or property.

Burn bans are already in place in several northwestern and Central Iowa Counties. Cass County is the first in southwest and western Iowa to institute the ban. Just before the ban went into effect, a field fire was reported northwest of Atlantic this (Friday) afternoon. No buildings were in danger from the flames. Crews from Atlantic, Marne and Elk Horn were working the scene just before 3-p.m.