Dry Autumn Weather Prompts Burning Ban

Only a trace of rain has fallen at the Eastern Iowa Airport during the first 16 days of October. That, combined with falling leaves and autumn's first freeze have caused a burning ban to be issued throughout Linn County.

September 29th was the last time Cedar Rapids' official weather reporting site received measurable rainfall. Nearly seven-tenths of an inch of rain fell that day. However, nearly three weeks later, the soil is definitely in need of a drink.

Linn County Emergency Management Director Mike Goldberg requested a burn ban for all of Linn County through the state fire marshall's office, at the request of area fire departments. The request was granted and is now in effect for the entire county. The burn ban will be is in effect until further notice and unfortunately, it looks like the chances for any substantial rain in the next week are slim. There's a chance of showers Tuesday through Wednesday, but otherwise another dry week is ahead.

Here's is one reminder from the Iowa Code on burning bans:

A proclamation issued by the state fire marshal pursuant to this section shall not prohibit a supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.

[via Linn County Emergency Management]