Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman says a Burn Ban will be in effect for his County beginning at 8-a.m. Wed., July 18th, and until further notice. The ban was requested following a poll of fire department chiefs in the County, and approved by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. It means open burning is prohibited in Montgomery County. An application to your local fire chief can be obtained to allow a permit for an open burn if your local Fire Official believes it is safe to do so.  After approval of the permit, several entities within Montgomery County are informed to lessen the danger of false alarms.

Hamman says “Due to excessive heat and little to no precipitation over the last few weeks, Montgomery County rural areas are extreme to critically dry.  As a precaution to all residents in Montgomery County in this, “tinder box” condition, which is not only effecting Montgomery County but throughout the entire state.” Hamman says “This is a dangerous situation and we rely on the public to assist us in this ban.  The conditions are extremely favorable for a fast moving wildland fire that can destroy property and be life threatening if uncontrolled.  If adequate moisture is received, a revocation of the ban will be considered by all Montgomery County Fire Officials.” Hamman says also, that lit cigarettes should not be thrown from moving vehicles, residents should avoid using sky lanterns, and fireworks involving sparks or flames.

With the additional of Montgomery County, 31 counties in the State are currently prohibiting opening burning, due to the dry conditions, and extremely explosive fire danger possibility for grassland and crop acreages. Montgomery County is the only County in southwest Iowa to have instituted the ban, as of 5-p.m. Tuesday.