Franklin County keeps burn ban in place, approves narrow exception for ceremonial flag burning

Franklin County commissioners voted unanimously to keep the countywide burn ban in place because the county remains in an exceptional drought, but they adopted a limited exception to allow ceremonial flag burning when strict conditions are met.

Emergency Management Director Jennifer Daniels briefed the board on drought conditions and advised continuing the ban. "Right now, I would say we are still under the burn ban. I would suggest leaving it in place," Daniels said, citing drought status, limited rainfall forecasts and the upcoming holiday weekend.

Commissioner Cheryl Sanders asked specifically about a request from the American Legion to burn worn flags during an official ceremony. County Attorney Michael Shuler advised the board on procedures and recommended a narrowly tailored amendment to the emergency declaration to permit burn barrels under a set of conditions, including a fire department standby. The board voted to reaffirm the emergency declaration and to approve the exception with the condition that a local fire department be present during such ceremonial burns (motion carried 5–0).

What the approval allows: ceremonial burns only when pre-approved, when the fire department is on standby and when safe containment measures (screened or covered barrels and wet-downs) are used. Daniels said the county publishes the burn ban exceptions and will post guidance on its website.

Why it matters: commissioners balanced public-safety concerns stemming from continued drought with community traditions. The decision keeps the county aligned with state emergency-declaration practices and requires operational oversight from emergency management and local fire departments.