All of Wright County has gone under a burn ban which began Monday morning, October 17th, at midnight. According to a release from Wright County Emergency Management, "Wright County Emergency Management along with each Fire Chief in Wright County have applied with the State Fire Marshall Service. This request allows Wright County to enact a ban on open burning due to conditions in Wright County being such that open burning constitutes a danger to life and property."
The entire state of Iowa has been designated as being abnormally dry, with areas of the state – including Wright County – being designated as in a drought. Northwest Iowa, just to the west of Wright County, is designated as in extreme drought. And the risk of fire during harvest operations is considered very high.
A copy of the proclamation by Iowa Fire Marshall Dan Wood ordering the burn ban, posted by the City of Eagle Grove on Facebook, states that the ban will not be lifted until the state is notified that "such conditions dangerous to life or property no longer exists" by the county.
The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice from the county. Violation of the burn ban order is, according to the press release, "a simple misdemeanor and punishable by law." Additional civil and criminal liabilities can arise, however, from the results of any fire that spreads out of control.
Those with questions should contact the office of Wright County Emergency Management, at (515) 602-6821.
