CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County Commissioners have announced a continued countywide burn ban on all open fires. The resolution was adopted at the commissioners’ public board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The ban remains in effect for up to 30 days.
By law, county commissioners may only enact a burn ban after receiving a written recommendation from the district forester who has received or solicited requests from at least 10 fire chiefs or 50 percent of the fire chiefs in the county, whichever is less. The commissioners can extend the ban for up to an additional 30 days upon the request of the district forester.
Open burning is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material out of doors in either a burn barrel, fire ring (screened or unscreened), or on the ground. Combustible materials include but are not limited to items such as garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetation matter involved in land cleari ng or any sort of debris. The use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills or the use of tobacco in any form are not covered under this act.
Recent dry conditions combined with sunny days, unseasonably warm temperatures and low humidity have elevated the risk of wildfires in south central Pennsylvania. Franklin County has experienced several wildfires in November, including one that burned approximately 200 acres on South Mountain in Greene Township. To date, 10 municipalities have enacted burn bans: Antrim, Lurgan, Montgomery, Quincy, Southampton and Washington townships and Greencastle, Mercersburg, Mont Alto and Waynesboro boroughs. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has issued a ban prohibiting campfires on state park and forest lands until further notice.
“As Franklin County’s elected leaders, the safety of our residents, property owners and businesses is our top priority,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “While this ban may be an inconvenience to some, we believe the need for a temporary ban is necessary and outweighs any disruption it may cause for our residents.”
The countywide resolution will be enforced by any sworn police officer, including the Pennsylvania State Police. Any individual who violates this ban commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for the third offense.
