Due to ongoing dry conditions, open air fires in Madison County have been banned effective today, April 14.
Supervisors issued the ban this morning via declaration, stating that much of the county is in severe drought conditions as defined by the U.S. Drought Portal. The county currently has a value of between 101 and 200 countywide on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index which is 50-100 points above normal. Additionally, the weather forecast is calling for low humidity levels and high temperatures particularly during the afternoon and early evening hours. There is also an enhanced potential for wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.
The open air fire ban will remain in effect until further notice. Open air fires are defined as the burning of materials wherein the products of combustion are emitted directly into ambient air. This includes campfires, burning trash, burn barrels, bonfires, debris fires and other similar fires.
