SPRING GROVE – Open burning now is banned in the villages of Spring Grove and Richmond, as well as the unincorporated areas of the Spring Grove and Richmond Township fire protection districts, according to a fire department new releases.
The ban is effective immediately and until further notice.
Most burning already is prohibited by a countywide health department ordinance and local village ordinances.
Campfires and bonfires that normally would be allowed with a permit under the ordinances are included in the ban, according to the news release.
The use of gas-fired grills, with covers, is permitted as long as they are not used on lawns or other easily ignitable surfaces, such as fields, grass or wood mulch.
The village of Spring Grove also is banning grilling in its parks.
The drought has dried plant material sufficiently that a spark, hot embers, fireworks or even a cigarette butt will ignite a field. Fires fanned by winds, such as occurred Thursday at Winn Road and Main Street in Spring Grove, poses a risk to homes that it too great to permit open burning, the release stated.
The villages and fire departments are asking residents to use extreme care over the next few weeks, as the weather service predicts little rain and excessive heat.
The villages and fire department swill notify residents when the ban has been lifted.
For information in Spring Grove, call Fire Chief Rich Tobiasz at 815-675-2450 or Police Chief Tom Sanders at 815-675-2596.
For information in Richmond, call Fire Chief Rick Gallas at 815-678-3672.