Allen County commissioners heard a proposal Tuesday to change how burn bans are enacted. The proposal would give county fire chiefs the ability to enact bans as well. Allen County commissioners are taking a closer look at how countywide burn bans are declared. A proposed resolution presented Tuesday would allow fire chiefs in the county to enact burn bans more quickly when conditions warrant. Emergency Management Director Jason Trego said the proposal was developed to address situations when fire danger increases between the commission’s weekly meetings. “Typically in Allen County, it’s the Commission that enacts burn bans,” Trego said. “We have run into several times where we get the forecast on Wednesday that the grassland fire danger is going to be very high, extreme or catastrophic.” Because the Commission meets only once a week, Trego said dangerous fire conditions can arise over a weekend before commissioners have another opportunity to act. “It kind of puts the fire departments in a tough spot to be able to enact a burn ban and tell people they’re not allowed to burn,” he said. UNDER THE proposal, burn bans would apply only to unincorporated areas of Allen County. Cities would continue to make their own decisions regarding burn restrictions. Rather than waiting for commission approval, the county’s six fire chiefs would collectively decide when conditions justify a countywide burn ban. Trego said the proposal would give officials the flexibility to respond as weather conditions change, even if a burn ban is only needed for a single day. The restrictions would cover agricultural burning, tumbleweeds, invasive vegetation, trash barrels, trash containers, bonfires and campfires. Trego also proposed expanding public notification through the county’s Genasys mass emergency notification system. Residents who sign up could receive burn ban notices by phone call, text message or email. Notices would also be distributed through local media, radio, newspapers and social media. “That way, we make sure that people know that we are indeed in a burn ban,” he said.
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