The Iowa Fire Marshal’s office said today another southwest Iowa County has been included in a ban on open burning. The latest addition is Taylor County. The ban went into effect at 2-p.m. today (Tuesday). Taylor County joins the neighboring Counties, of Page and Montgomery Counties in the ban. Also covered under the ban on open burning is Fremont, Mills, Pottawattamie, Cass, and Audubon Counties.

Currently 58 out of Iowa’s 99 Counties are under a burn ban, which prohibits open burning during extended periods of elevated fire danger due to wide spread amounts of dry natural vegetation compounded by contributing weather conditions and/or outdoor activities.

During the extremely dry conditions, citizens are reminded to:

1. Not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles.
2. Avoid the use of fireworks and celebration items that produce flames or sparks.
3. 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 contact the State Fire Marshal Office at 515-725-6145 or go to www.dps.state.ia.us.