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East Cocalico supervisors impose two-week burn ban and fireworks moratorium after fire marshal warning
Summary
The East Cocalico Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to enact an emergency burn ban and a fireworks moratorium from July 3 to July 16 after the fire marshal recommended restrictions because of high heat, low humidity and drought conditions. The ban exempts cooking and will be enforced by local police.
The East Cocalico Township Board of Supervisors voted to enact a temporary burn ban and a moratorium on fireworks from July 3 through July 16 following a recommendation from the fire marshal about extreme heat and dry conditions.
Chair (speaker 3) moved to place "a burn ban in place in East Cocalico Township and a moratorium on fireworks from July 3 to July 16," and the motion passed 2 to 1. Staff (speaker 5), who relayed the fire marshal27s concerns, told the board the combination of high temperatures, low relative humidity and persistent drought "creates a potential adverse situation" and urged restrictions to reduce fire risk.
The board27s discussion focused on scope and enforceability. Staff clarified that typical burn bans prohibit open burning but allow cooking fires: "If you're cooking, keep your charcoal going — that's a different story," staff said. Supervisors debated whether the prohibition would be open-ended or limited; the approved motion sets the moratorium through the board27s next meeting on July 16, at which time members can consider an extension.
Board members and staff also discussed enforcement challenges. One supervisor cautioned that police and first responders can be strained by calls and fireworks-related incidents during holiday periods, and staff argued the rule gives law enforcement clear authority to act under existing statute when open burning becomes a public-safety hazard.
The vote was recorded as "motion carries 2 to 1." The board did not attach additional enforcement details in the motion; staff indicated police would handle violations under current statutory authority. The moratorium exempts cooking and routine, lawful activities that do not create a hazard. The board said it will re-evaluate the ban at its next regular meeting on July 16.
The action follows a staff report that the fire marshal had phoned the township to recommend a ban because of the weather and local drought conditions.
