Emergency managers in McLean County have implemented a county-wide ban on open burning until Friday, Sept. 26 because of an increased fire risk.
Several municipalities in the county already had implemented their own burn bans, including Arrowsmith, Funks Grove Township, Mt. Hope Township, Saybrook and McLean.
A news release issued from the McLean County Emergency Management Agency [EMA], in coordination with county fire protection districts, the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal states the ban is “due to prolonged dry conditions and an elevated risk of wildfires and field fires.”
“Recent weather patterns, marked by dry spells and low humidity, have created conditions that make even a small or controlled burn highly dangerous,” the EMA said. “Farm fields and vegetation are exceptionally dry, and fires can spread rapidly, putting lives, home and farmland at risk."
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows much of McLean County is considered to be in a moderate drought.
The ban includes all residential and agriculture burning and any burning of yard waste, brush, leaves and other natural or combustible materials. The ban does not include gas or charcoal grills.
“This proactive measure is being taken to protect residents, property and natural resources across McLean County,” the agency said.
The EMA cautions that property owners who burn without authorization may be billed by responding fire departments.
The agency encourages property owners mulch or compost yard waste, use local waste collection and disposal services and store debris safely until the burn ban is lifted.
While the weather has been mostly dry in Central Illinois for the last several weeks, the National Weather Service is calling for a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday evening in Bloomington-Normal. There also are chances of rain nearly every day over the next week.
