At the behest of fire chiefs across the county and Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller and citing the tinder box conditions, the Barton County Commission renewed the county-wide burn ban.
The commission signed Barton County Resolution 2012-13 declaring a state of local disaster emergency. This proclamation states that due to extremely dry weather conditions an extreme fire hazard exists in Barton County. Effective at 12:01 p.m. on Tuesday, open trash burning, campfires, and all open fires are prohibited.
Miller said triple digit temperatures continued in Barton County this past week. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows Barton County is in severe drought conditions.
Any questions concerning local burning, should be directed to the fire chief having jurisdiction of the area where the burning is to take place. The fire chief may or may not issue an agricultural burning permit.
Violation of this state of emergency may result in fines of up to $2,500.
This state of emergency will be in force until noon, July 9. At that time it may be extended if weather conditions do not improve.