Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Fire Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mercer County commissioners approve Stage 1 burn ban ahead of warm, windy forecast
Summary
Commissioners approved a move to Stage 1 of the county burn ban after local fire officials urged action because of warming temperatures and forecast high winds; county staff will publish the change and notify local departments.
Mercer County commissioners voted to implement a Stage 1 burn ban for the county after local fire officials warned warmer temperatures and predicted high winds could allow small burns to spread.
Fire officials, introduced at the meeting as Mike Moll of Zapphire and Alex Iler of ASM Fire and Rescue, urged the commission to raise restrictions temporarily until spring grasses green up. They said certain materials, such as railroad ties and other debris commonly burned in outdoor pits, can smolder for days and pose a spread risk if winds increase.
Commissioners approved a motion to implement Stage 1. The board instructed staff to publish a public notice in the county newspaper and on the Mercer County government Facebook page, and asked local fire departments to repost the advisory. Commissioners and fire officials discussed using the North Dakota fire index and keeping dispatch informed so county dispatchers can answer public inquiries about whether burning is permitted on a given day.
Local chiefs said the governor had already issued an emergency fire declaration at the state level, and they urged the county to act promptly so emergency resources can be positioned ahead of demand. Commissioners agreed the county should “be ahead of” state-level action when local conditions warranted.
The commissioners recorded the motion as approved in a roll-call vote. The county will implement Stage 1 immediately and post guidance describing what activities are restricted under that stage. Staff said they would supply a written notice and place an advertisement in the local newspaper; county and municipal pages on social media were also identified as distribution channels.
The change is temporary and was described by officials as intended to remain in place until rainfall and green-up materially reduce the risk of escaped burns.
