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Press release from the City of Ottumwa

(OTTUMWA, Iowa) - The State Fire Marshall’s office has issued a burning ban for all of Wapello County, including Ottumwa, effective at 3 PM on Tuesday July 26, 2011. 

Under the ban, all open burning is prohibited until further notice. The ban remains in effect indefinitely and will continue until the State Fire Marshall determines that local conditions warrant lifting it. Area fire officials requested the ban because dry conditions make burning very hazardous. 

Iowa Code Section 100.40 authorizes the State Fire Marshal to prohibit open burning upon request of the local emergency coordinator.  Violation of the ban is a simple misdemeanor.

A burning ban does not prohibit the use of outdoor fireplaces and barbecue grills for cooking purposes.

In addition, the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners is allowed provided that the burner is made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.  Supervised controlled burns are allowed under the ban only by permit issued by the Fire Chief.

Residents who need to dispose of yard waste have several options including curbside collection, mulching and composting.  Leaves and yard debris that are placed in the Ottumwa/Wapello brown paper collection bags can be put out for curbside collection. The City’s waste hauler picks the bags up on Tuesdays. The Ottumwa/Wapello yard waste bags cost one dollar, which covers the cost of collection. Residents can also haul leaves to the Landfill or Ottumwa Wapello Recycling Center for disposal at no cost. Tree limbs can be disposed of at no charge at the Landfill.