With dry, windy conditions once again plaguing the area, the Barton County Commission Wednesday morning approved the re-establishment of a temporary countywide burn ban.

“Extremely dry weather conditions and lack of moisture have created a fire hazard situation within Barton County,” said county Emergency Manager Amy Miller. She asked for the declaration until conditions improve. 

There have been a number of rural grass fires in the three weeks since the last ban was lifted, she said. Now, much of the western two thirds of the county falls into a “severe drought situation.”

She had the backing of fire chiefs around the county, who met Tuesday night to discuss the matter. “We feel the conditions are bad enough that we need to put this back in place,” said Great Bend Fire Chief Luke McCormick.

He stressed they are aware of the need for agricultural burning. “We will work with farmers,” he said.

But, they just want the burns that can be put off until later be delayed. He noted that smouldering ashes can remain in burn piles for weeks before winds carry them and ignite another, unintentional fire.

Ellinwood Fire Chief Spencer Proffitt echoed those thoughts. They’ve had small blazes they thought were under control until winds whipped up and fanned the flames.

“It just goes to show how dry it is,” Proffitt said.

Miller will keep the commission updated on the conditions so the ban can be lifted when possible.