(Council Bluffs) An open burning ban will be in place for Pottawattamie County starting Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.
The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused the issuance of Red Flag Warnings and an increase in fire responses throughout the county due to controlled fires quickly becoming uncontrollable. Under the current dry conditions, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly.
“Pottawattamie County has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate incidents like that from occurring” stated Emergency Management Director Doug Reed.
During these dry conditions, 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 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 updated information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on Pottawattamie County Emergency Management’s facebook, twitter, and web pages. The ban will remain in place until environmental conditions improve.
