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Judge announces countywide burn ban as FEMA denies individual assistance for April floods
Summary
Logan County will enact a burn ban effective this afternoon after dry conditions; emergency management said FEMA likely will not provide individual assistance to residents affected by April flooding because the county did not meet damage thresholds.
The Judge of Logan County said on Aug. 26 he will sign an executive order instituting a countywide burn ban effective the afternoon of the meeting, following consultations with mayors and fire chiefs who told him county conditions are too dry.
"I'm going to follow suit today and sign an executive order to put a burn ban on Logan County," the Judge said, noting unanimous agreement among local fire officials. The order will take effect later the same day.
Terry Cole, Logan County emergency management, updated the court on flood-related aid after the April storms. Cole said county officials do not expect FEMA to provide individual assistance because the county did not reach FEMA's per-capita damage threshold, though public assistance for infrastructure damage appears possible.
"I don't believe we had enough to qualify," Cole said when asked why individuals were not eligible for FEMA assistance, and described conversations with state and federal officials about thresholds.
Cole acknowledged the frustration of residents with home damage and said the county can help navigate federal processes but cannot override FEMA rules. He urged residents to contact county staff for guidance on buyouts or assistance options.
The court's action to impose a burn ban responds to dry conditions and is intended to reduce wildfire risk while the county awaits additional rain. The order does not change federal or state recovery processes but aims to reduce new ignition risks locally.
Next steps include distributing the executive order to municipal partners and local fire chiefs and public notice to residents via county channels.
