Several counties across Kansas have a burn ban in effect

Ford County is currently under a burn ban.
Ongoing drought conditions make wildland fires a very real threat.
The careless use of smoking materials is prohibited as are any open fires including campfires.
County residents can still use their fireplaces and grills on residential property, Farm land may engage in a prescribed burn for crop survival and with the written consent of the Ford County fire chief.
This ban will be enforced and remains in effect through April 15th.

El condado de Ford se encuentra actualmente bajo prohibición de quemas.
Las condiciones de sequía actuales hacen que los incendios forestales sean una amenaza muy real.
Está prohibido el uso descuidado de materiales para fumar, al igual que cualquier fuego abierto, incluidas las fogatas.
Los residentes del condado aún pueden usar sus chimeneas y parrillas en propiedades residenciales. Las tierras agrícolas pueden realizar una quema prescrita para la supervivencia de los cultivos y con el consentimiento por escrito del jefe de bomberos del condado de Ford.
Esta prohibición se aplicará y permanecerá vigente hasta el 15 de abril.”

Ford County, Kansas Emergency Management

Burn Ban effective immediately

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-04

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY IN GRAY COUNTY, KANSAS.

WHEREAS, K.S.A. 48-932 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to declare a state of local disaster upon a finding that a threat of a disaster is imminent in Gray County;

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has been advised by the Gray County Rural Fire the threat of disaster exists for the citizens of Gray County;

AND WHEREAS, the grassland and cropland of Gray County, Kansas, form an important part of our economy, 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 the area. Extremely dry, windy and unseasonably warm weather conditions have created an extreme fire hazard in the grasslands and croplands of Gray County. Once started these fires are difficult to control and strain both paid and volunteer fire department’s manpower and resources. The fire danger is extreme across Gray County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GRAY COUNTY, KANSAS, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1.

Kansas.

The area affected by the imminent threat of disaster is Gray County

Section 2. The period of imminent threat of disaster affecting Gray County shall be from February 29, 2024, until April 15, 2024, unless this declaration is further continued or terminated in accordance with K.S.A. 48-932(a).

Section 3. During the period of imminent threat of disaster, the following activities are prohibited in Gray County:

a. Careless use of smoking material, including cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes. Discard of smoking materials shall be in a manner which precludes any threat from smoldering remains.

b. 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 premises.

c. The sale, use or discharge of fireworks. The term “fireworks” shall mean any combustible or deflagrating composition, article or device suitable for use by the public for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, deflagration or detonation. This shall include both consumer and display fireworks.

d. Prescribed burning of all fence rows, fields, wild lands, ravines, trash and debris. Prescribed burning may be exempt from this resolution only if such is necessary for crop survival and has been specifically approved in writing by the fire chief in the jurisdiction where the burning is taking place. Burning stubble in preparation for second crop planting shall be included within the definition of ”crop survival.”

Section 4. All law enforcement and fire department agencies in Gray County shall enforce this resolution.

Section 5. A person who intentionally violates this resolution and declaration may incur a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per violation. Each penalty may be assessed in addition to any other penalty provided by law.

Section 6. This resolution shall be in full force and effect for the period of time stated in Section 2 of this resolution unless extended in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 48- 932.

Section 7. This resolution shall become effective upon publication in the official county newspaper. Further, this resolution shall be filed promptly with the Gray County Clerk and shall be given prompt and general publicity.

ADOPTED this 29th day of February, 2024.”

Gray County Kansas Emergency Management

Norton County Kansas Emergency Management