A no-burn order was issued for Athens County, among 23 other counties in southeast and central Ohio, Sept. 13 due to severe drought and higher susceptibility to fire.
Athens Fire Chief Bob Rymer said 25% of the City of Athens is either forested or some type of undeveloped land, which is more susceptible to brush fires.
“We’re always training for that,” Rymer said. “We’re always prepared for that with the equipment we have. Making sure it’s ready.”
Rymer said although the fire staff’s on-duty staffing is low, the Athens Fire Department has the ability to call for backup from other departments if needed.
The order places a temporary ban on the use of fireworks and outdoor fires of any kind. According to a press release from the Ohio State Fire Marshal, 85% of wildfires are caused by humans, and some of the main causes are unattended campfires or bonfires, the burning of debris and negligently discarded cigarettes.
Some campus events have faced cancellation in light of the order, including the Bobcat Block Party Fireworks Show scheduled for Sept. 14, the day after the order was issued. Libby’s Pumpkin Patch has also postponed its opening, according to its website.
“We do not allow any open burning in the city already, but we do allow the outdoor chimney areas, Dutch ovens and the outdoor fireplaces that have screens, as long as they aren’t within 20 feet of a road or structure,” Rymer said. “However, those, due to the burn ban, are not allowed either.”
Rymer also said some events such as fundraiser cookouts and barbecues are barred from taking place due to the order, so people hosting such events will need to find an alternative.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry Fire Prevention Manager Aaron Kloss said even prescribed fires are not being conducted due to the burn ban.
National parks such as Wayne National Forest routinely conduct prescribed fires to reduce the risk of a more destructive wildfire. Kloss said prescribed fires also help regulate park ecosystems.
“During the extreme drought conditions that we are experiencing, safety takes priority,” Kloss said. “In addition to safety concerns, conducting prescribed fires when weather and fuel conditions are not ideal can lead to more detrimental effects.”
The order from the Ohio State Fire Marshal indicates the order will end on a per-county basis as weather shifts away from “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” categories determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday, according to its website.
