Campbell County issues outdoor burn ban | News

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KY (FOX19) - Campbell County has joined Boone County in ordering burn bans effective immediately. Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery has issued the emergency declaration prohibiting "all outdoor burning" in the county until the further notice. He cites the lack of adequate rainfall as a contributing factor in the fire danger.

William R. Turner, Director of the Campbell County Office of Emergency Management explained that the burn ban was issued following consultation with the fire chiefs from across Campbell County.

On Tuesday, Boone County imposed a burn ban. Under the Executive Order issued by the County Judge Executives burning is prohibited county-wide until sufficient rainfall has occurred. Residents of Campbell County are advised not to burn trash, grass or crops and not to light campfires or set bonfires. The following exceptions apply to the ban on outdoor burning; Fires lit in a grill for the purpose of food preparation. Bonfires or ceremonial campfires of no more than five feet by five feet in size may be conducted by organized and recognized community, charitable or religious groups provided the local fire department is notified. Such fire shall be set in an area at least 50 feet from any adjacent structure or wooded area. The fire shall consist of clean wood only and shall not be used for disposal of solid waste. The fire shall be monitored at all times by members of the group with means of extinguishment such as a charged garden hose or buckets of water readily available until the fire is completely extinguished.

Turner also stressed the importance of safety when using Fourth of July fireworks, encouraging the public to be very cautious of the fireworks starting grass and bush fires.

Failing to comply with the burn ban could lead to fines and other civil action depending on what type of property is damaged during a fire. The Campbell County burn ban will continue until the area receives significant rain, Turner said. The area is approximately 6 inches below normal rainfall.