Clay County Commissioners issued an order to restrict outdoor burning effective for 30 days during Monday’s meeting.
Precinct 3 Commissioner John McGregor suggested the ban as a way to encourage Clay County residents and visitors to take extreme caution during the Fourth of July holiday. Lake Arrowhead resident Martha Hall also urged commissioners to take action.
“We seem to be affected more by the dryness and people’s carelessness,” said Hall.
The sale and use of fireworks will be allowed this year. The deadline to ban fireworks was June
McGregor noted that a burn ban could help communities and volunteer fire departments already dealing with water restrictions. Clay County has not had any major wildfires this year, but conditions become more favorable with each hot and windy day.
“It shows that the county is trying to do its part,” said McGregor.
The burn ban will expire July 25 unless commissioners see fit to extend it. Agricultural burning, prescribed burns and welding, when conducted with a spotter and 100 gallons of water, among other activities, are exempt from the ban.
A violation of the burn ban could result in a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of not more that $500.
Wichita and Archer county are also under burn bans. Jack and Montague counties are not.
