(Statewide) – Abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions, high winds and dry vegetation that can quickly burst into flames have resulted in 15 counties in Iowa having instituted a Burn Ban. As of March 14th, the following southwest Iowa counties are included in the ban on open burning:

• Adair
• Adams
• Audubon
• Guthrie
• Mills
• Montgomery
• Page

Two counties in southern Iowa and six in eastern/southeast Iowa have Burn Bans in-place. The Code of Iowa states “The State Fire Marshal, during periods of extremely dry conditions or under other conditions when the state fire marshal finds open burning constitutes a danger to life or property, may prohibit open burning in an area of the state at the request of the chief of a local fire department, a city council or a board of supervisors and when an investigation supports the need for the prohibition.”

A burn ban does not prohibit the following:  supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.

For specific questions about open burning in your community, please contact your local Fire Department or Emergency Management office.