Sibley, Iowa — The burning ban in Osceola County has been lifted as of Thursday, October 31st, according to Sibley Fire Chief Ken Huls.
Even after the recent rain, conditions are still dry, to be sure. The latest drought monitor report, while its data comes from before Thursday’s rains, lists all of our counties as being in severe drought after getting basically no precip in October until the last day. Only 21 percent of northwest Iowa topsoil has adequate moisture, with 30 percent of subsoil moisture listed as adequate, according to the latest USDA crop report.
But emergency officials in Osceola County and the State Fire Marshal’s office have determined that enough risk has been eliminated that the burning ban could be lifted.
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. Emergency management officials tell us 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 ban in Osceola County has been lifted. But the burning bans in the other three of our primary counties (O’Brien, Sioux, and Lyon) at last report — were still in place.
