County Burn Ban Ordinance Discussed

(Farmington, MO) A burn ban ordinance could be approved soon for St. Francois County after Tuesday's St. Francois County Commission meeting. St. Francois County Associate Commissioner, David Kater, says now the county has no way to declare a burn ban during severe drought and, if approved by commissioners, the new ordinance would allow fines for those who don't follow it.

According to Kater if a person were fined under a county burn ban ordinance they could also be fined by the state as well. The burn ban came about after a fire in extremely dry, windy conditions recently destroyed a building and vehicles in the county. Officials feel if a burn ban had been in effect the situation would not have occurred.