(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed, Thursday (today) said in a new release that “An open burning ban will be in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawattamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.”

With the lack of sufficient ground moisture and precipitation, fire departments have responded to several grass/field fires requiring the need for multiple fire departments to respond to fight these fires. The current dry conditions and dead vegetative fuels create the perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly.

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw cigarettes out from moving vehicles and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, and grass/agricultural ground during the ban. The ban will remain in effect until the county receives sufficient precipitation to alleviate the increased fire threat.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.

Visit https://pcema-ia.org for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for Alert Iowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.