(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management officials today (Tuesday), issued a reminder to county residents, that “An open burning ban is in place and continues for all of Pottawattamie County. The ban went into effect February 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated
city limits within the county.” The ban will remain in place until environmental conditions improve.

Yesterday, February 28th, 6 different fires occurred that utilized 12 of our 15 fire departments, units from Pottawattamie County Conservation and the Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Department due to residents failing to observe the burn ban. There were two additional fires out of county that departments also assisted with.

The burn ban is put in place to save lives and property. Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban. There were 4
citations issued yesterday. Emergency Management Specialist Michell Bose says “We understand that the weather has turned nice and land owners have fuels to burn, but with how dry our county is at this time, fires can become out of control quickly, resulting in catastrophic damage.”

As a reminder to citizens during these dry conditions, do not throw cigarettes out from moving vehicles and discontinue burning trash, yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground
and set-asides or other items during the ban. For updated information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on the Pott. County Facebook, and Twitter pages.