Burn Ban Lifted In Chester County

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County's burn ban, which had been slated to continue for several more weeks through Christmas, has been lifted, officials announced. It comes after weeks of drought conditions and historic lack of precipitation led to increased wildfire risk across the country.

Chester County Commissioners voted to end the band on the recommendation of Chester County Department of Emergency Services Director Bill Messerschmidt.

“Following a period of wet weather, the risk of fire danger has decreased across Chester County, allowing us to remove a ban on open fires,” Bill Messerschmidt said in a statement. "And while the level of precipitation remains lower than average, it has been sufficient to take this action."

The burn was initially announced on Oct. 27 and lasted for 30 days, and was then extended through Christmas. Recent precipitation has improved conditions.

Even with the burn ban in place, Chester County still has seen 166 brush fires, and 73 mulch and trash fires, since Oct. 27.

“These numbers were higher than average for the time of year, even with the ban on open fires,” said Messerschmidt.

One person was killed in the fall in a brush fire, officials said.