By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — With a rash of recent fires Ringgold County has joined other area counties in southwest Iowa in instituting a county-wide burn ban.
On February 17, the office of the state fire marshal received a request pursuant to Iowa code 100.40(1) (1995) from Ringgold County Director of Emergency Management Melissa Stark to prohibit open burning in Ringgold County.
Upon investigation, the fire marshal found that conditions in Ringgold County are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life or property.
Stark indicated that the burn ban had been under discussion for some time and that the final decision to implement the ban came on the evening of the February 16 and would stay in effect until further notice.
The area did receive its first precipitation in weeks last Thursday evening. Although the precipitation was welcomed, it was not of sufficient quantity to put a dent in the drought-like conditions experienced throughout this winter.
Emergency Management will continue to monitor the conditions along with the fire department leadership as the ban continues. Stark emphasized that along with the heightened fire risk concern she mentioned that storm season is just around the corner and preparations are underway for those efforts as well.
