Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees, today (Friday), said in a statement, “Due to the forecast of increasingly high winds in the next few days, we are advising NO BURNING of any type in and around Atlantic, or for that matter, in Cass County. Fire danger conditions will worsen as winds dry out vegetation. Even though it may appear conditions are favorable due to recent precipitation, it will quickly become a greater hazard. Winds will make any type of wildland fire difficult to control and will spread quickly to many areas that are virtually inaccessible due to the wet soil conditions, hampering firefighters gaining access.”

McNees said also, “Burning of trash in burn barrels will also be a risk and is not advised. As always, anyone wishing to burn at anytime is asked to contact their local fire chief for consultation. Several departments are trained to conduct controlled prescribed burns should landowners need to do mid management burns, or simply wish to clear areas of their land.”