Douglas County Extends Burn Ban Through April 30th

A burn ban has been issued on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 for Douglas County effective immediately through April 30, 2014 or until further notice. The Board of County Commissioners authorized the ban following recommendations of township fire chiefs due to the presence of dry conditions and lack of moisture that increase fire danger in Douglas County. The burn ban resolution is in effect when the rangeland fire danger is very high or extreme and/or a Red Flag Warning is issued.  These conditions have created multiple fire calls.

During the burn ban the following activities are prohibited outdoors:

(a) The careless use and disposal of smoking materials, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars and pipes. All smoldering remains shall be discarded in inflammable containers and in a manner to reduce the potential for fires.

(b)  Building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire or campfire, except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or in barbecue grills in developed recreational sites or on residential home sites.

(c)  Burning of all fencerows, fields, wild lands, ravines, trash, debris or areas or materials.

The county’s resolution states, “As provided in K.S.A. 48-939, the knowing or willful violation of any restrictions adopted pursuant to this resolution shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided by law therefore.”