A burn ban is in place for Howell County, ordered by the commission Thursday afternoon. It will stay in effect until the commission issues an order to end it.
The commission meets each Monday and Thursday, during which time official business is conducted, including the issuance of orders.
The burn ban was ordered due to the elevated risk of fire danger resulting from the combination of dry air and gusty winds. The combination is further exacerbated by debris that remains on the ground after recent storms, and Fire Marshall Tim Bean recommended the ban for the county, according to a joint statement from Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs and county Emergency Management Director Mike Coldiron.
Anyone who violates the burn ban may be charged with a misdemeanor crime and accordingly subject to legal consequences, officials reminded.
Questions may be directed to the Howell County Commission at 417-256-3872, or Howell County Emergency Management at 417-255-0515 or howellcountyemd@gmail.com.
The Howell County Commission has announced the establishment of a storm debris collection site at 2501 Ozark St., just west of Lynch Equipment on North U.S. 63 in West Plains. This site opens Tuesday morning, and is set up to assist private residents in disposing of storm debris following the recent tornado, said commissioners.
Acceptable items include white goods such as appliances and electronics; tires; construction and demolition debris including lumber, insulation and metal; and woody vegetation such as trees, stumps and brush.
Commissioners stress the site is for private resident disposal only, and cannot accept garbage, food items or household hazardous waste.
The hours of operation will initially be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and may be adjusted depending on volume, said commissioners. Signage will be placed to indicate specified areas for the four categories of debris.
“The Howell County Commission is committed to supporting our community during the recovery process,” said commissioners. “We encourage residents to utilize this site for their storm debris disposal.”
For more information, contact the commission at 417-256-3872.
