Jackson County Burn Ban

According to Wayne Cain, Jackson County Safety Director/ Emergency Manager, the Jackson County Commissioners have implemented a Burn Ban for Jackson County. The ban will go into effect today, August 1, and remain in effect through August 30, unless dropped by resolution, by the County Commissioners for Jackson County.

The resolution states, “Extreme fire danger exists in Jackson County. The situation has been verified by the majority of the county’s municipal and rural fire chiefs. The ban makes it “unlawful for an person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop, of other wild lands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or any other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wild lands fire.” This is with certain exceptions. See side bar on Exceptions to the Burn Ban.

“Enforcement of this resolution may be carried out by any law enforcement officer of this State. Any person convicted of violating this resolution shall be guilty of misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars, to imprisonment for not more than one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.”

Exceptions to the Jackson County Burn Ban

For equipment related to road construction projects:

Equipment that uses propane or other controlled–type burns is generally regarded as safe, however it would be prudent to have a water pumper on standby any time this equipment is used near a grassy right-of–way. Other types of burners pose a higher risk, particularly if they are of open design or are burning while being while being transported. If a safety zone wider than the length is established, these burners are generally safe. If they are pulled onto a grassy surface, the burner should be extinguished. A concept of “reasonable and prudent” must be applied when using this type of equipment.

Welding/cutting torch/grinding activities:

When conducted over a non-combustible surface of at least 10 feet by 10 feet and when welding blankets or screens are used to cover flammable vegetation; and

Wind speeds must be less than 20 mph; and

A fire watch, other than the welder, is posted at the welding/cutting torch site with pressurized water or fire extinguisher.

Firefighter training:

When all standard and recognized precautions are in place at the time of training; and

Winds speeds must be less than 20 mph.

Clearing of debris and brush from irrigation ditches:

The Jackson County Irrigation District will be allowed an exemption for the purpose of clearing the irrigation ditches of debris and brush using torches within Jackson County. When all standard and recognized precautions are in place at the time of clearing; and

Winds speeds must be less than 20 mph.

Campfires and outdoor cooking:

Outdoor campfires or bonfires are prohibited. LPG and natural gas grills and charcoal-fired cooking outside in a grilling receptacle are permitted provided that the activity is conducted over a non-flammable surface and at least five feet from flammable vegetation.

Fireworks

Organized public fireworks displays are allowed under this ban if the public fireworks displays are permitted by a municipality with jurisdiction authority and conducted by trained professionals with the approval of the local fire department or State Fire Marshal’s Office. This burn ban PROHIBITS the use of any fireworks by the public within Jackson County Proper.