Be careful with outdoor burning, fire marshal warns

The state's top fire official is warning Iowans about the dangers of outdoor burning this fall after two people died while burning leaves.

State Fire Marshal Ray Reynolds says the fires, no matter how small, require vigilance.

Reynolds says two people died in October. A rural Keokuk man died after his clothes caught on fire. A man in Cedar Falls died after he was burned when he threw gasoline on a fire.

Reynolds says conditions may seem ideal for burning, but the recent dry weather has caused fires to get out of hand.

Reynolds says Iowans need to obey local ordinances because many cities don't allow outdoor burning. He also suggests checking with local fire departments about burn bans. And, if you are burning, keep a water hose handy just in case.