“Despite some rain falling earlier this week, officials say “abnormal weather conditions increase the risk of fast moving wildfires in the area.” EMA Director Gabe Barney says “First responders were put at risk this past weekend, with wildfires throughout the area, including a large mutual aid response to Montgomery County. All local fire departments were in agreement,” he says, “and the ban was approved today by the State Fire Marshall, in Des Moines.”

Montgomery, Page and Pottawattamie Counties were placed into an Open Burn Ban earlier this week. Crawford, Carroll, Harrison and Monona Counties’ bans when into effect earlier this month, The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning unless an official burn ban permit has been issued by the proper fire chief. Citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set-asides or other items during this ban. Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban.