Two more counties are being be added to the list of counties in the KJAN listening area which have called for a ban on open burning. A Burn Ban went into effect at 10-a.m. Tuesday, for Fremont County. Later that same day, emergency management officials in Page, Pottawattamie and Montgomery Counties announced Burn Bans would be in effect in those counties beginning at 8-a.m. today (Wednesday). The bans will remain in effect until further notice.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused an increase in fire responses throughout eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. As dry conditions persist, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. Pottawattamie County EMA Director Doug Reed says Pott. County “Has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate an incident like that from occurring.”

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the 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.

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management reports a burning ban will be in place for Pottawattamie County starting Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. The ban prohibits open burning in Pottawattamie County, including all the cities within the county.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused an increase in fire responses throughout eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. As dry conditions persist, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. EMA Director Doug Reed says Pott. County “Has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate an incident like that from occurring.”

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the 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. For more information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on our facebook page or you may call 712-328-5777.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman has announced a Burn Ban will be in effect for that county beginning at 8-a.m. Tuesday and lasting until further notice. Fremont County has already instituted a ban on open, outdoor burning. Hamman says several other counties in southwest Iowa are in the process of issuing a Burn Ban.

Fremont County is the first of what is likely to become many counties in southwest Iowa to request and receive approval for the instituting of a ban on outdoor burning from the State. The State Fire Marshal’s Office received the request today (Tuesday) from Fremont County Emergency Manager Mike Crecelius. Crecelius represents each of the fire departments within the County, in their request to implement a Burn Ban effective immediately, and lasting until further notice.

The Ban states that conditions in Fremont County are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life or property, and requires that no person engage in open burning except until such time the fire district chiefs feel the danger is reduced or no longer exists.

Violating the Burn Ban is a simple misdemeanor, which requires a court appearance.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors heard from Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring Monday evening, with regard to an engineer’s report on the condition of the Kiddie Korral Shelter at Sunnyside Park. Herring says the wooden shelter, which was built in the 1940’s is in dire need of repairs or, replacement, according to the engineer. Herring says it’ll take more than a coat of paint over the old, moldy wood, some of which has holes in it, to make the shelter ADA compliant and safe. The structure, he says, has major problems with its foundation. The stucco plaster corners are separating from the concrete slab, which has a major crack that’s a significant “trip hazard,” and runs at least half the distance of the shelter.

The crack cannot be fixed or caulked, according to Herring, and is a potential liability. And while the rafters and beams are solid, the roof decking is rotten and the shingles are at the end of their life expectancy. The engineer says the foundation has settled and at the two center posts on the southern side of the building are two-inches lower than the rest of the building. Removing and replacing the concrete slab would entail removal of the two-inch wall around the perimeter. He says to repair and replace the wall and foundation “Would not be cost effective.” The other issue Herring says, has to do with the building not being accessible to handicapped persons.

Herring presented a number of possible replacement structures that range in cost from $22,000 to $40,000. Those costs do not include the costs for the cement slab, labor, and other costs. The new structures, regardless of the materials they use, would be ADA compliant. Herring said the Kiddie Korral can be replaced with monies that are, and will be available, but it won’t be anytime soon.

Herring said he’s open to receiving donations for the shelter’s replacement, and if the donation is significant enough, the rights to name to building after an individual or group. And, as for the Camblin Shelter at Sunnyside, Herring said it is structurally sound, but could use a “facelift.” He mentioned also, that they are looking into refurbishing the other shelters in the park, as well.

Senior Citizens in Atlantic and the surrounding area will have a place to partake in outdoor activities designed specifically for them, possibly as soon as this Summer, following action taken by the City’s Parks and Recreation Board, Monday evening. The Board approved the final site plan for the activities area, which will be located south of the new Parks Maintenance Building at Sunnyside Park.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said there will be all sorts of activities geared toward Seniors and others, including an area specifically designed for horseshoe games. There will be four, regulation-size horseshoe pits. Work on the pits should be completed by July, according to Herring. Another, 70-by 120-foot flat, grassy area, can be used for other activities. Such as Badminten, Croquet, Bocce Ball and other family-type activities.

The area would be easy to get to via an existing access road, and would feature a parking lot made up of gravel asphalt millings. A gradual grade will make the play area handicapped accessible for wheelchairs, persons with walkers, etc. There will also be two picnic tables and a grill in the area, as well.

In other Parks and Rec Board business, the Board instructed Herring to move forward with a revised agreement between the City and YMCA, for the oversight of certain recreational programs they have managed in the past, including tennis, softball and the swim team, pending approval by YMCA Director Dan Haines. The City however plans on hiring its own manager for the swimming pool instead of going through the YMCA, which means the agreement currently in-place with the Y would be reduced nearly $5,000 from the current $10,130 year agreement.

The pool manager would work 36 hours per week and be paid $9.50 per hour, with the potential to earn $4,800 over the summer for 12 weeks, from May 21^st through August 17^th. The person selected would have to meet certain criteria, and understand that they would be responsible for many aspects of the municipal pool operations. He says one of their primary duties will be finding ways to increase attendance at the pool, through the use of theme days and making the pool a more fun place to be.

Herring said he already has several qualified candidates in mind for the position.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say the harsh winter is expected to affect some fish populations in the state. The state Department of Natural Resources says lakes and ponds experience natural winter fish mortality. But Jim Wahl, supervisor for fisheries in northwest Iowa, says officials are expecting to see more lakes and ponds affected this time around. Wahl added a few lakes are experiencing oxygen levels that are lower than normal.

Officials say lakes under snow are shut off from sunlight that helps aquatic plants. That has a ripple effect on photosynthesis and the flow of oxygen into the water. DNR officials have placed aeration systems at a few lakes with a history of winter kills. Those systems keep a section of a lake from freezing.

Shelby County Emergency Management officials say as of today (Monday), natural fuels (Low humidity, strong winds and extremely dry grass/timber) have reached a point where they will readily ignite, and spread.  With predicted winds increasing, and Relative Humidity expected to drop into the Mid 20’s authorities recommend that Fire Danger Boards in Shelby County be placed in the HIGH category. 

The County is also included in a Fire Weather Watch, so expectations of rapid fire growth should be anticipated.  The situation will be assessed and the Fire Danger Boards updated, on Thursday.  In the mean time, outdoor burning of timber, grasses and other materials should not be conducted.

If you must burn, call your local fire chief to obtain authorization. If you are cleared to begin a controlled burn, contact Shelby County Dispatch at 712-755-2124  and let them know it is an authorized burn to avoid any confusion.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Roger Herring reports the gates to Sunnyside Park will open today at 4-p.m.  Herring advises park visitors to use “Great caution” as they drive through the park due to gravel and debris on the street.

Herring says the new tennis courts are open and ready to be used by the public FOR TENNIS ONLY. He asks park users to be on the alert for walkers, joggers, disc golf players and children at play. Herring says you are welcome to enjoy City’s parks but asks that you respect the parks and related property, as they are meant for everyone to enjoy.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports precipitation for Iowa is below normal so far in 2014, receiving an average of 2.2 inches instead of the normal 2.6 inches by this time. The wettest area of the state is extreme southeast Iowa with 5 inches of moisture, and the driest areas are portions of the I-29 corridor which have received only about an inch.

Stream flows are normal across the state for this time of year, except in the Iowa River watersheds, which are above normal.The area of extreme drought in Iowa has reduced in size from 20 percent of the state to 7 percent since the beginning of the year.

For a more thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends January 1 through March 12, go to http://www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate. The report is prepared by the technical staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.