Commissioners issue burning ban for county

October 6, 2010

PLYMOUTH – Weather conditions in Marshall County have prompted the County Commissioners to take action.
Due to the extremely dry conditions the Marshall County Board of Commissioners, with the support of the majority of the local Fire Chiefs, have issued a disaster proclamation restricting open burning thru out the entire county.
The Fire Chiefs and Commissioners agree that Marshall County is immediately threatened by a natural disaster – specifically county wide drought conditions and that these conditions make the county vulnerable to widespread fire hazards. The Fire Chiefs and Commissioners believe that implementing a burn ban on certain activities is an appropriate public safety response to the fire hazards presented by the current drought conditions.
“They take into consideration conditions at this time, specifically the lack of rain and dry foliage,” explained Marshall County Emergency Management Director Clyde Avery. “What we are experiencing right now is considered a drought and with the other condition of all the dry foliage around a fire can get out of control very quickly.”
In accordance with the Emergency Declaration the following activities are prohibited until further notice in Marshall County:
• Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible material, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane (charcoal from permitted grill shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished);
• The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including such debris that results from building construction activities;
• Campfires and other recreation fires, unless enclosed.
While traditional grills are not banned, particular attention to safe disposal of charcoal briquettes should be observed. Recreational fires should be avoided.
“If residents want a recreational fire they really need to have it in some sort of enclosed fire ring, fire pit or an outdoor stove,” said Avery. “You should be very careful not to leave any sort of ember burning when you leave a fire. In these conditions it’s not unheard of for a fire to ignite from just a small burning ember.”
The Commissioners are asking all residents of Marshall County to comply with the necessary emergency measures, and to cooperate with pubic officials in order to keep our communities safe.

For additional information regarding fire safety, please contact your local fire department or the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 574-936-3740.