CLINTON, Iowa — Those in Clinton and Scott counties should think twice before burning anything this weekend.
The National Weather Service of the Quad Cities reported gusty winds, low relative humidity and dried vegetation in farm fields will lead to "elevated fire danger" starting Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 23.
Clinton County's Emergency Management issued its burn ban for the entire county last week on Oct. 13. It went into effect at 3 p.m. that day due to dry conditions and gusty winds.
On Friday, Scott County issued its burn ban due to the elevated fire danger.
Burn bans for both of these counties will continue until the county determines "that such conditions dangerous to life or property no longer exist."
The ban comes as the entire state of Iowa experiences "abnormally dry" conditions for the first time since August 2013. A report issued on Oct. 13 by the U.S. Drought Monitor says northwest Iowa is experiencing the worst of it.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety hasn't included Clinton County's burn ban on its website as of Thursday evening but has noted there are 12 other bans in the northwest part of the state.
Overall, the Iowa Quad Cities should stay aware of the current conditions and listen to burn bans. The state fire marshal may prohibit open burnings as they see fit to keep people and property safe, according to Iowa law.
Anyone who violates a burn ban could face a simple misdemeanor.
Below is the image from the U.S. Drought Monitor. It shows Iowa's drought conditions as of Oct. 11.
The image below shows Iowa's drought conditions as of Oct. 18.
On the other side of the Mississippi is a different story. Illinois is experiencing abnormally dry conditions in areas right along the river, including in Rock Island, Mercer, Whiteside, Carroll and Jo Daviess counties.
Moderate and severe drought levels are being monitored in the southern part of the state as pictured below. The image directly below is from Oct. 11.
The image below is from Oct. 18:
Local laws and ordinances govern burning in Illinois. Illinois law also says the following can never be burned in the state:
- Commercial waste.
- Food and associated packaging.
- Furniture.
- Construction/demolition debris.
- Tires.
Those who live in any town or within a mile of a town with a population of 1,000 or more are not allowed to burn anything except landscape waste. However, local ordinances can limit the burning of landscape waste.
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