McPherson County adopts one-week burn ban, makes narrow exceptions

The McPherson County Board of Commissioners adopted a one-week countywide burn ban on April 14, 2025, citing extreme dry and windy conditions that create a high wildfire risk.

County Director of Emergency Management and Communication Emily Yates read the county's state of disaster emergency proclamation before the board voted, saying in part, “The fire danger is extreme in this county. The dry conditions and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.”

The proclamation—filed as Resolution 2025-05—says grasslands and croplands in McPherson County are at high risk and that wildfires would strain volunteer fire departments. It allows limited exceptions: prescribed burns of bench rows, field wildlands, trash and debris, and similar controlled burns may proceed only with prior written approval from the local city fire chief or rural fire district chief. The board said it will revisit the restriction weekly and rescind it once sufficient rainfall reduces the hazard.

Commissioners moved and approved the resolution during the regular meeting. The board directed staff to publish the resolution in the official county newspaper and to return to the commission for review one week after adoption.

Practical effect and enforcement: the ban is effective immediately upon adoption and publication; residents who wish to conduct any prescribed or controlled burning must obtain written approval in advance from the chief of the city or rural fire district that has jurisdiction over the burn site. The board emphasized the order is temporary and will be re-evaluated at its next weekly meeting.