Glenwood, Iowa – – The burning ban that has been in place for all of Mills County, Iowa will be lifted tomorrow at 10:00 A.M. (Tuesday, December 1, 2020).  Larry Hurst, Director of Emergency Management in Mills County, says “Due to abnormally warm temperatures and several months of below normal precipitation, Mills County had placed a burn ban in effect in September to mitigate against the potential for widespread, devastating fires throughout the County.”

During this period the Local Fire Departments in Mills County and the E-911 Communications Center had in place an automatic mutual aid protocol that gave firefighters an edge in their response times with the necessary equipment and personnel. “During this timeframe their performance made for a safer Fall Harvest”, said Hurst.

Even though the ban is being lifted this Agency strongly urges landowners that have a requirement to conduct controlled burns of a larger scale, to contact their local Fire Chief to discuss methods and weather considerations as an item of preparation prior to conducting burn. Of note, Mills County does have a Controlled Burn Ordinance (2008) for un-incorporated area of County that requires a property owner to contact the Mills County Communications Center at 712.527.4871 prior to conducting a prescribed burn.

Hurst also urged property owners that lived within the City limits of the seven jurisdictions within County to become familiar with ordinances dealing with burning as applicable before they light fires of any type.