Ellsworth County Burn Ban

(First Published in the Ellsworth County Independent/
Reporter, March 9, 2017)

RESOLUTION NO. 2017-R-06

STATE OF DISASTER EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

NOW UPON THIS 6th day of March, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners of Ellsworth County, Kansas, are met in regular session with a quorum present, and
WHEREAS the grasslands and croplands of Ellsworth County, Kansas, form an important part of our economy, and provide for protection of watersheds, forage for livestock, refuge for wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Wildfires endanger these resources, real and personal property, and the lives of residents and visitors in these areas. Extremely dry and windy weather conditions have created an extreme fire hazard in the grassland and cropland of Ellsworth County, Kansas. Fires have been reported throughout the county and have caused substantial damage. Once started, these fires are difficult to control and strain volunteer fire department manpower and resources. The fire danger is “extreme” in this county. The dry conditions and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY proclaimed, directed and ordered by the Board of County Commissioners of Ellsworth County, Kansas, pursuant to K.S.A. 48-932, that a state of local disaster emergency exists for the above reasons and that the following acts are prohibited within boundaries of this county by all citizens and visitors:
1) Careless use of smoking materials, including cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes. Discard shall be in a manner to preclude fire threat from smoldering remains.
2) Building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire or campfire except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or barbecue grills in developed recreational sites or residential areas.
3) Prescribed burning of all fence rows, fields, wild lands, ravines, trash and debris. Prescribed burning may be exempted from this order where such burning is supervised and controlled and has been specifically approved in advance and in writing by a City Fire Chief or Rural District Fire Chief.
An exception is herewith made with respect to said ban not applying to as those rural householders who are burning household trash in containers. Said rural householders will be allowed to burn said household trash on their own premises without obtaining permission of a local fire chief, so long as the fire in question is attended and in a container such as a barrel not exceeding 55 gallons in capacity. Containers shall not be deemed to include burn pits or burn piles.
4) Outdoor use of all other fires and devices, including fireworks, for any reason.
A willful violation of this order shall constitute a misdemeanor according to K.S.A. 48-939, and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law. The Ellsworth County Clerk shall immediately notify Ellsworth County’s emergency management coordinator, law enforcement officers, and fire officials of this order; and shall also notify both print and radio media representatives who normally cover Ellsworth County.
This Proclamation shall be in full force and effect from and including March 6, 2017, until repealed by the Ellsworth County Board of Commissioners.
BE IT SO RESOLVED.
WITNESS OUR HANDS BELOW SET FORTH THIS 9th DAY OF MARCH, 2017.

/s/ Albert Oller, Chairman
/s/ Kermit Rush, Commissioner
/s/ Stephen Dlabal, Commissioner

ATTEST:

/s/ Shelly D. Vopat
Ellsworth County Clerk

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