Hot Weather Continues as County Considers Burn Ban

LOCK HAVEN — With the unrelenting heat continuing across Clinton County, the county commissioners today announced they are looking at imposing a county-wide burn ban. The county has been baking under temperatures well above average for the entire month of July and the long-range forecast calls for nothing more than the chance of an occasional storm over the next week.

Because of those conditions, the commissioners in conjunction with the County Department of Emergency Services released the following:

SUBJECT: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER COUNTY-WIDE BURN BAN

“Due to the prolonged period of hot and dry weather, numerous small brush and forest fires have erupted in our county.  This is a concern to area fire fighters, Bureau of Forestry personnel and the public in general. Therefore, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners, in consultation with various entities, is considering the issuance of a county-wide ban on any outdoor burning, in accordance with state statutes.

“If issued, the burn ban would be in effect for a period of 30 days and would prohibit all outdoor open burning which would include campfires. The commissioners would hope that with the current conditions, the public will be wise and use common sense and avoid all non-contained outdoor burning especially near woods and grasses. On a dry, windy day such as we experienced recently, a loose fire could become a huge hazard. On Wednesday, DCNR Bureau of Forestry reported that a recent fire on the left branch of Hyner Run in the Sproul State Forest, which was estimated to affect about 100 acres, was 90% contained.  Other smaller fires have been reported within the past couple weeks. If the current conditions do not improve a burn ban will likely be put into effect.

“In the meantime the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services and the Board of Commissioners, as well as DCNR, are strongly urging visitors and residents to refrain from outdoor burning of any type and certainly asking people to be wise even in the use of campfires, charcoal grills and any other burning.

“Commissioner Smeltz stated, “We do not want to stifle the normal family summer activities such as an evening campfire, but extreme caution is in order at this time and we ask people to take heed. The County Commissioners as well as Department of Emergency Services Staff will continue to keep a watchful eye on the situation and take action as necessary to protect lives and property.”