As stiff southerly winds buffeted the Barton County Courthouse Wednesday morning, county commissioners approved a weather-related temporary burn ban for the county as well as a disaster declaration in anticipation of potential wind damage.
The action was taken during a special meeting originally called to only conduct executive session interviews of county administrator candidates. But, as county officials eyed the forecast, the agenda was amended to include the matter.
It also followed the closure Wednesday of the Barton County Landfill because of the gusty conditions.
“As recent warm temperatures, extremely dry weather conditions, and lack of moisture have created a fire hazard situation within Barton County, local Fire Chiefs have asked that the commission prohibit open burning in Barton County,” said Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller. The prohibition will remain in effect until conditions improve and it is revoked by the commission.
Agricultural burning for crop and pasture management practices may be exempted from this order only upon issuance of a written permit by the fire chief having jurisdiction of the area where the burning is to take place. Any questions concerning local burning, should be directed to the appropriate fire chief.
The chief may or may not issue an agricultural burning permit.
Violation of this burn ban resolution result in fines of up to $1,000.
Disaster declaration
And, due to the current fire weather conditions and forecast high winds of up to 90 miles per hour, the commission was asked to sign a disaster declaration. “Emergency declarations may be declared by the County Commission if there is an imminent danger to the people and property within Barton County,” Miller said.
“This is a preemptive measure,” she said. Should a wind-related disaster occur, this declaration would speed the process of notifying the Kansas Division of Emergency Management so it could forward the information on to the Federal Emergency Management Agency more quickly.
Miller said Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly last Thursday made a verbal declaration of a state of disaster emergency based on weather conditions that elevate the danger of wildland fires, particularly in the western part of the state. The declaration allows the state to preposition firefighting assets in key areas, and the county action better positions it to receive these assets if needed.
According to Miller, the Barton County declaration is only good for seven days. It expires next Wednesday unless the commission votes to extend it.
According to the Kansas Drought Monitor, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 28% of Barton County is abnormally dry. But, none of the county falls into the drought category.
Looking at the forecasts, the Drought Monitor predicts the abnormally dry conditions will linger for at least a month and expand to engulf more of the county.
It also noted that November was the 39th driest November in the past 127 years. And, 2021 from January through November was the 50th wettest year in that same time span.
