OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa Public Information Office Tom Rodgers informed KTVO Thursday afternoon that the Iowa State Fire Marshal's office has issued a burn ban for Wapello County.
According to Rodgers, the ban is effective at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8th and remains in effect until further notice. Area fire officials requested the ban because of the dry conditions southeast Iowa has been experiencing.
Rodgers says that 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.
Rodgers released this statement, "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."
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