Burn Ban Announced In Montco

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Starting at noon Saturday, a 30-day burn ban will be effective across Montgomery County. The move comes as Montgomery County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution enacting a 30-day countywide ban on open fires.

Prohibited during the ban are open fires, which county officials said are defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material — such as garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris — outdoors in either screened or unscreened burn barrels, fire rings, or on the ground.

Propane stoves, gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills, and tobacco use in any form will still be permitted during the ban. Other exemptions are provided for normal agricultural operations, agricultural related business operations, candle lighting, and other small, contained burning — such as matches, lighters, or candles — used for religious reasons.

Anyone who violates the resolution will be committing a summary offense and, upon conviction, will be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for the third offense, authorities said.

"Montgomery County has suffered an unprecedented lack of rainfall and drought-like conditions for the majority of the past three months," Jason Wilson, Deputy Director for Emergency Management at the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, said. "These abnormally dry conditions and persistent lack of rainfall pose a great public safety concern by way of brush, wildland, and forest fires. As of today, Montgomery County fire companies have responded to over 300 reported brush and vegetation fires since the beginning of September, which have destroyed many acres of both natural and developed land."