Monroe County issues no burn order due to drought

Due to ongoing countywide drought problems, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners issued a disaster emergency proclamation Friday prohibiting several activities within the county to prevent widespread fire hazards.

Campfires and other recreational fires are banned unless the fire is in an enclosure with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter by 10 inches high or higher.

The county has also prohibited open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood or other combustible matter.

Burning debris, such as timber or vegetation, including debris resulting from building construction activities, has also been banned by the proclamation. With July 4 approaching, the proclamation also encourages residents to attend public fireworks displays and to limit personal displays to those that do not leave the ground.

The disaster emergency proclamation will be in effect for as long as deemed necessary by the consensus of Monroe County’s Fire Protection Services agencies and until the Monroe County Board of Commissioners lifts the ban.
 
— Mark Keierleber