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McDonald County enacts 30-day countywide open burn ban amid severe drought
Summary
The McDonald County Commission voted unanimously Oct. 7 to enact a countywide temporary open burn ban (Order 2024-4) effective immediately for 30 days after emergency management reported the area is at a Severe Drought level.
The McDonald County Commission voted unanimously Oct. 7 to enact a countywide temporary open burn ban, citing severe drought conditions, officials said.
Gregg Sweeten, McDonald County Emergency Management Director, told the commission the county is under a Burn Advisory and that “the Drought Monitor is currently at Severe Drought Level,” a condition the county said justifies temporary restrictions on open burning to lower wildfire risk.
Western Commissioner Rick Lett moved to enact a County-Wide Temporary Open Burn Ban (Order 2024-4) to take effect immediately; Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope seconded the motion. The commission recorded a unanimous vote in favor (COPE — YEA; HALL — YEA; LETT — YEA), making the order effective for 30 days from its effective date.
The ban, identified in the minutes as Order 2024-4, is intended as a time-limited measure to reduce the chance of human-caused fires while drought conditions persist. The minutes do not list exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, or specific penalties; those details were not specified in the transcript excerpt.
After adopting the order the commission proceeded with general county business. The meeting was adjourned; the commission was scheduled to reconvene Oct. 9, 2024. The minutes show signatures and approval on Oct. 9, 2024 (Book PP pg. 489).
