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 ounty Emergency Management Director Mike Coldiron.
“Dry conditions and high winds contribute to the extreme dangers of burning and as the conditions are expected to prevail over the next couple of days according to the National Weather Service, therefore actions have been taken to help protect people and property in Howell County,” the statement reads.
With the ban in place, all inside of Howell County boundaries must discard cigarettes, cigars, smoking pipes and similar materials in a way that prevents smoldering remains from starting a fire. Open fires, including campfires are prohibited; burning may only take place in a permanent stove, fireplace or barbecue grill.
Prescribed burns of fence rows, fields, wild land, ravines or trash and debris are also off-limits while the ban is in place. An exception may be made in cases of necessity, with written approval from 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.
