(Atlantic) Despite the much-needed rainfall this past week, the burning ban issued for Cass County on September 3, is still on.
Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon says the county is still under drought conditions. “Quite frankly some of the conditions we were talking about are still there,” said Kennon. “For example, all the dry foliage that provides fuel is still in the fields and in the ditches and so forth,” said Kennon. “We’re not looking at rain in the forecast so we can quickly go back into the conditions we have before last week’s rain.”
Kennon says he doesn’t want to lift the ban only to put it back on again. “We’re not banning people from burning altogether,” said Kennon. “Anyone under an open burning situation should contact the Fire Chief in your district, and they can possibly give them a waiver under certain conditions.”
During these dry conditions, citizens are to refrain from tossing cigarettes from moving vehicles, burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground, set-aside acres, and other items during this ban.
Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to a citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burning ban. Kennon says the ban will be in place until environmental conditions improve.
