Bucks County officials announced a 30-day burn ban effective this Sunday in response to drought conditions and increased wildfire risks across the area.
The Bucks County Commissioners issued a resolution passed Friday to implement the prohibition to mitigate fire hazards caused by the prolonged dry spell.
The ban restricts all open burning, including the use of burn barrels, fire rings, and on-ground fires for disposing of materials such as garbage, leaves, twigs, and paper, according to county officials.
Fire marshals and fire chiefs across the county supported the ban as part of an urgent need to prevent fires during the ongoing dry weather that has plagued the area since late September.
While the ban strictly limits open fires, it does not extend to propane or gas stoves and charcoal briquet grills. Tobacco use remains unrestricted. Campfires are still permissible within designated campground rings if they are properly contained and flammable materials are cleared within a five-foot radius, officials said.
Violators of the ban face fines, starting at $100 for a first offense, per state law.
The National Weather Service has reported an absence of rainfall in the region since late last month, making it as one of the longest dry spells since records began in the 1800s.
The prolonged lack of rain has led to the drying of small water bodies, reduced flows in waterways, and several brush fires, including large incidents in Middletown and Solebury townships.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the combination of sunny days, warm temperatures, and low humidity has significantly increased the risk of wildfires.
The federal drought monitor currently places Lower Bucks County in a moderate drought category, while Central Bucks and parts of neighboring Hunterdon County are experiencing severe drought conditions.
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