The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Monday in a public work session to hash out the details of a proposed burn ordinance. The Supervisors hope to move toward a simpler, more focused set of rules aimed at curbing dangerous burning during red flag warnings while minimizing unnecessary regulation on responsible landowners.
At the heart of the discussion was the desire to craft an ordinance that puts teeth into enforcement during periods of high fire danger, while relying on common sense and courtesy for routine burns. Supervisors agreed that the purpose section should be tightened up to reflect that goal.
Supervisors agreed that notification requirements could serve as a safeguard, helping alert residents to red flag conditions. Joe Buffington with Planning & Zoning said, “Sometimes people just don’t know there’s a red flag warning. If they call dispatch, they can be told, ‘Hey, you can’t burn today.’ That might stop a problem before it starts.”
Ideas discussed included requiring calls for burn piles over a certain size (such as 500 or 1,000 square feet) and combining related sections of the ordinance to avoid redundancy. The board also acknowledged the reality of fire behavior. “You can set up your burn pile however you want, but fire is fire. Mother Nature can take over pretty quickly,” one supervisor cautioned.
Despite differing views on some details, the supervisors appeared unified on the need for a straightforward ordinance that emphasizes safety during red flag conditions while respecting property owners’ good judgment. County staff will work on revised language, and the board expects to review a new draft at an upcoming meeting.