It’s safe to burn again in Johnson County.
At the recommendation of the county fire inspector and rural fire district chiefs, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners temporarily suspended the open burn ban for unincorporated Johnson County on Sept. 4.
A burn ban was initially imposed on July 2 and was to be in effect until Sept. 25. Commissioners will access conditions at that time to determine whether the ban should be lifted completely.
“Although we don’t believe we are completely out of danger, fire risk has been reduced in the unincorporated areas of Johnson County,” Ed Eilert, Chairman of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, said. “We strongly encourage citizens to try and keep future outdoor burning to a minimum and to always take the necessary safety precautions when doing so since dry conditions may still continue.”
Property owners are required to obtain a new burning permit from their local fire districts/departments before open burning in the unincorporated area of Johnson County during the three-week suspension. Any pervious permit, if issued before July 2, was voided when the countywide burning ban went into effect.
There is no fee for applying/receiving a burning permit. Violation of the conditions of a permit, or not having a permit, may lead to a standard fine of $500.
