Burn Bans Being Lifted in Northeast Iowa After Weekend Rains

Thanks to much needed rainfall over the weekend, some burn bans began being lifted Monday (09.25) in northeast Iowa.

As of noon Monday, burn bans were canceled in Chickasaw, Howard, Winneshiek, Butler, Black Hawk, and Buchanan counties. According to the National Weather Service in Lacrosse, areas of Chickasaw and Winneshiek counties experienced rains of around four inches to alleviate extremely dry land conditions due to extreme to exceptional drought.

State Fire Marshal burn bans are still in effect until further notice for Allamakee, Bremer, Cerro Gordo, Fayette, Floyd, Grundy, Hancock, Worth and Wright counties.

The burn bans state that “no person shall engage in open burning until such dangerous conditions to life or property no longer exist.”

Grills and recreational fires are exempt from the burn ban, but fire pits must have the proper cover to prevent the spread of embers. 

As of 5 pm Monday. there were 12 burn bans in effect in the state.