Check with your local municipality to find out about burning prohibitions and enforcement.
In a season where gathering around the campfire is as traditional as pumpkin pie, the 150-year-old-record-breaking drought has extinguished that leisure.
With the region recording no measurable rain since Sept. 28 – which, on Tuesday, broke a record of 29 days without rain set in October-November 1874 – multiple municipalities across the area have enacted burn bans, during Fire Prevention Month nonetheless, to protect its citizens and first responders from the autumn drought.
"No measurable precipitation has been recorded so far this month through Oct. 28," the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, NJ reported Tuesday. "Thus, 30 consecutive days have passed without precipitation, which sets a new all time station record."
Local first responders have been busy this month fighting small and large brush and field fires, like this mega one in Upper Gwynedd Township. On Oct. 14 alone, there were six separate brush fires in the region.
Last week, both Lower Frederick Township and Schwenksville Borough issued prohibition on burning until further notice. This included the revocation of active, issued recreational fire permits.
On Monday, Montgomery Township issued a temporary ban for 30 days. The ban prohibits open fires, recreational fire pits, and fireworks. All township-issued burning permits will be revoked, per the township.
“The ban is due to the extended period of dry conditions affecting Montgomery Township and the potential for uncontrollable fire spread and wildfires,” the township posted on Facebook. “Montgomery Township is committed to the safety of our community.”
North Wales Borough followed suit on Tuesday morning, banning all forms of burning – fire pits, chimineas, and certain outdoor cooking methods that may create excessive sparks or flames.
Borough emergency responders and police have been informed of and directed to enforce the ban.
“Given the historic current drought, lack of rainfall and high winds, North Wales Borough’s public safety officials are declaring a ban on all open burning until further notice. This declaration is made after consultation with the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company and the Borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator,” said North Wales Mayor Neil McDevitt.
North Wales’s ban covers the open burning of any combustible material outdoors in either a screen or unscreened burn barrel or on the ground.
“This includes the burning of garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, and vegetation from land which has been cleared. This declaration, as noted under the ‘Hazardous Conditions’ portion of the ordinance, extends to all forms of open burning, including fire pits and chimneys,” McDevitt said.
North Wales residents are asked not to use firepits on Halloween night – as many families traditionally do to welcome trick-or-treaters – until further notice.
“We also ask that residents who smoke be especially careful in discarding used cigarettes and other smoking items,” McDevitt said.
If you live in rural Bucks County and cannot await a campfire – think again. The entire County is under a burn ban, effective Sunday through Monday, Nov. 25.
According to Bucks County, county burn bans can be put in place by direction of the district fire warden, “after at least 10 fire chiefs or 50 percent of the fire chiefs in the county, whichever is less, recommend and request the imposition of a temporary countywide burn ban on open fires.”
The County can only issue burn bans for 30 days at a time, and Commissioners can extend the ban for an additional 30 days.
While Horsham Township has not issued a ban, yet, it has asked residents to conserve water.
“Please conserve water. There is not much rain forecasted in the next 14 days. Water supply wells, rivers, creeks, ponds and lakes in the area are getting very low,” wrote Horsham Township on Facebook.
Some municipalities, like Abington and Whitpain townships, ban burning during “extreme conditions”: “Except for cooking … no outdoor burning shall be permitted during any period of strong winds, drought or weather inversion (i.e., hazardous air quality conditions) or during/in any other situation deemed hazardous or objectionable by the fire code official, their designate, a fire officer, or a law enforcement officer.”
Be sure to follow your local municipality on Facebook and sign up for an emergency email alerts, if offered, to stay up-to-date on burn ban initiatives and enforcement.
