Henry County Emergency Management – Proposed Burn Ordinance Update (Walt Jackson)
Walt Jackson presented a proposed county fire ordinance aimed at improving communication and safety around controlled burns in Henry County. He emphasized that while initiating a burn ban through the State Fire Marshal’s Office is a fairly straightforward process, the greater challenge is determining when to lift the ban, especially with fluctuating weather forecasts.
The proposed ordinance would:
- Require residents to notify dispatch before any open burning, providing details such as name, location, contact info, and a fire mitigation plan.
- Automatically trigger a county burn ban whenever a Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service—allowing for quicker, more responsive safety measures without waiting for state approval.
- Reduce unnecessary fire department callouts, which frequently happen when control burns are mistaken for emergencies.
- Include penalties for non-compliance, with escalating consequences for repeat offenders—ranging from warnings to fines and reimbursement of equipment costs at FEMA rates if departments sustain losses (e.g., hoses or blowers damaged during repeat calls).
- Provide exemptions for recreational fires, burning barrels with approved screens, and other low-risk activities.
- Allow for coordination with fire departments for burning during narrow windows required by conservation programs such as CRP (Conservation Reserve Program), with discretion left to fire officials.
The ordinance has support from fire chiefs, law enforcement, and the County Attorney’s Office, and a draft has been reviewed and revised.
Next steps would include a public hearing, followed by the typical ordinance process including readings and a vote.
Jackson noted neighboring counties, including Washington, Des Moines, and Jefferson, are pursuing or have implemented similar ordinances to create regional consistency for landowners who manage property in multiple counties.