Northwest Iowa — The burning bans issued in September for O’Brien, Osceola, and Sioux counties have been lifted.
Even after the recent rains, to be sure, conditions are still dry. The latest USDA crop report says 85 percent of topsoil in the northwest region is rated “short” or “very short” of moisture, with only 15 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.
But the emergency officials in the counties and the State Fire Marshal’s office have determined that enough risk has been eliminated that the burning bans could be lifted. O’Brien County’s ban was lifted at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Osceola’s was lifted as of 9 o’clock Wednesday morning, and Sioux’s was lifted as of noon on Wednesday.
Burning bans are put in place to prohibit open burning in unincorporated areas when the fire marshal finds that conditions are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life or property.
What we commonly call a “burning ban” should really be called an “open burning ban,” as certain kinds of fires are permitted. Sioux County Emergency Management Director Nate Huizenga says fires in barbeque grills, covered fire pits, barrels covered by a mesh screen, and incinerators are all OK. Plus, you can also get a permit to do open burning during a burning ban if officials believe the risk is low enough and other conditions are met.
Again, the burning bans in Sioux, O’Brien, and Osceola counties have been lifted. Emergency officials, however, would still like you to call your county sheriff’s office to advise them when you are going to be doing some burning to eliminate sending fire departments to false fire calls from the public.
