Burn bans lifted
By BOB WHITE
Monday, July 2, 2007 8:24 PM CDT
HARDIN COUNTY — An inch of rain during the past week prompted county officials to lift a burn advisory Friday and led Elizabethtown fire officials again to issue open burning permits in the city Monday.
Local burn bans and advisories began about two weeks ago after drought conditions took hold of the county and sparked numerous field fires. No citations were issued against citizens during the ban.
The area received about 1.25 inches of rain during the past week. That rain added enough moisture to the soil to ease immediate fire concerns, Elizabethtown Fire Chief Mike Hulsey said.
Hulsey said fire officials will “continue to watch it real close,” since open burning permits again are being issued in Elizabethtown.
Burning permits are issued in Elizabethtown for the sole purpose of clearing ground, as during new construction and the removal of organic yard waste. Permits are issued by the Elizabethtown Fire Department.
In Vine Grove, Fire Chief Steve New said removal of a burn ban issued there recently would be discussed with city officials during Monday’s city council meeting.
New would not say whether he believed the ban would be lifted.
A ban on the issuance of open burning permits continues in Radcliff. Open burning is allowed there by permit only. Because of continuing dry conditions, those permits are not being issued.
Hardin County Deputy Judge-Executive Steve Smith clarified that the lift of the burn advisory for unincorporated areas of the county only allows the burning of brush and organic yard waste.
Bob White can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 241 or at bwhite@thenewsenterprise.com.
