Burn Ban in Effect for Delaware County

A burn ban is now in effect for Delaware County.

Delaware County Emergency Management, representing the county’s fire departments, requested the burn ban from the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The burn ban means that open burning is prohibited in Delaware County. The current dry conditions means open burning could easily become out of control, posing a danger to life and property.

Area fire departments have responded to several out-of-control grass fires across Delaware County this week – that includes at least four fires just on Thursday afternoon.

Delaware County Emergency Management says the burn ban does allow some burning, including 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. However, Emergency Management Coordinator Mandy Bieber says ALL outdoor burning is strongly discouraged unless it is absolutely necessary.

The burn ban became effective at 3 pm on Thursday, January 30th. It will remain in effect until further notice. 

Any violation of this proclamation order is a simple misdemeanor.