Linn County burn ban ends Wednesday morning

Hot, dry conditions have raised fears about grass fires and outdoor burning all year.  But changing conditions, especially recent rains, have prompted some counties to eliminate burn bans.

Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. Linn County joins that list by once again permitting outdoor burning.

Fire chiefs from all Linn County fire districts participated in a telephone conference call Tuesday afternoon.  The decision to lift the burn ban was not unanimous, as some chiefs argued that drought conditions still persist.

The decision will make some happy in smaller communities that already allow regular outdoor burning.  In Springville, residents are usually able to burn waste and brush in large metal containers called "burn barrels."  Tony Satterlee said he's just stuffed his burn barrel with yard waste since the ban was imposed in July.  But he hasn't lit a match since earlier this summer.

He said if fire chiefs reversed the ban, he knew what he'd do.

"If they decided to lift it, boy I'd be right out there, because that would make my yard look a lot nicer," Satterlee said.

Those who want to burn larger amounts of brush, debris or other materials will still need to apply for a permit from the Linn County Department of Public Health.

Some chiefs may have worried about dry fields despite some recent rains.  But Ely volunteer fire chief Randy Zbanek said the weather has changed enough to warrant lifting the ban.

"My personal opinion," Zbanek said, "we've not had near enough total rain.  But we have had enough to allow burning again under controlled conditions."

The decision by Linn County fire chiefs to lift the burn ban, imposed July 6, follows the lead from some other counties recently.

Both Bremer and Jackson counties in eastern Iowa lifted burn bans  on Tuesday. Chickasaw and Fayette counties lifted their bans recently as well.

A week ago, 66 of Iowa's 99 counties had burn bans in place.  The decision by Linn County will reduce that number to 59 on Wednesday.