Washington County Fire Chiefs Put Burning Ban in Effect Starting 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5

A burning ban has been put into place across Washington County due to continued drought conditions.

Because fire danger is high to very high across major portions of the state due to a continued drought, the Fire Chiefs of Washington County have initiating a burning ban beginning 6 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 5.

No camp or recreational fire or open burn will be permitted within Washington County during the period of the ban. No burning permits will be issued to the general public and no use of fireworks will be allowed.

The ban will continue until further notice.

The severe drought has brought wildfire conditions to the point that fires start easily from sparks or windblown embers and spread rapidly, a news release from Stillwater Fire Chief Stu Glaser states.

“Until the area receives significant rainfall or snow the risk will remain very high,” he said. “In an effort to provide for the public safety the Washington County Fire Chiefs have agreed to implement this ban.”

Deputy Fire Chief Alan Newman, President of the Washington County Fire Chiefs Association said conditions across Washington County are favorable for significant grass and wild fires.

The DNR and other wildfire agencies in the state have brought in additional resources and placed them on a Level 5 alert, the highest planning level.

The Minnesota Incident Command System agencies are concerned that prolonged lack of rainfall has allowed even the large woody debris and standing conifer trees to ignite easily as well as areas with peat soils.

Both lead to difficult demands on firefighting resources to protect life and property.