Clay County burn ban remains in effect

Dry summer weather has kept an open burning ban in place in Clay County for three weeks.

The prohibitive order was issued Aug. 20. Clay County joins 10 other Iowa counties in banning open burning due to dry conditions.

According to the order, "open burning constitutes a danger to life or property" during periods of extended dryness. The prohibition may only be rescinded after local officials notify the state fire marshal that conditions have eased.

Those who violate the ban will be subjected to a simple misdemeanor charge. The order does not prohibit a supervised, controlled burn that has been issued a permit 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.

Spencer Fire Chief John Conyn made the countywide request last month. Other Iowa counties with open burning bans include: Adair, Audubon, Calhoun, Cass, Emmet, Guthrie, Mahaska, Pottawattamie, Scott and Webster. The City of De Soto in Dallas County also has a burn ban in place.

According to the latest map released Sept. 3 by the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 50 percent of both Clay and O'Brien counties are experiencing moderate drought conditions, with the remaining portions classified as abnormally dry. The agency notes that "fire danger is high" in areas facing moderate drought.