Update: Floyd, Butler County Burn Bans Now In Effect

For the second time in the last six months, a burn ban is in effect in Floyd County.

Floyd County Emergency Management Director Jason Webster submitted the County’s request for the burn ban, per the fire chiefs with districts in Floyd County, Friday (03.01) with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The approved order put the burn ban into effect at noon Friday.

A burn ban has also been enacted in Butler County as of 4 pm Friday.

The proclamations approving the burn bans notes that, “Upon investigation, the fire marshal finds that conditions are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life or property.”

Burn bans will remain in place until the danger no longer exists.

Grills and recreational fires are exempt, but fire pits must have covers to prevent the spread of embers. Similar covers are also required for any incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete or masonry. Supervised controlled burns are allowed with a permit.

As of 4:30 pm Friday, the Floyd and Butler County burn bans are among 28 in the state, but the only two in north or northeast Iowa. All others are in the southern half of the state.

Last fall, Floyd County was under a burn ban from September 7th to October 16th due to the extreme drought. Conditions have not improved since then and little rain is expected, with a forecast of above-average temperatures and strong winds to continue the pattern.

Those conditions also prompted Red Flag Warnings against open burning for most of north and northeast Iowa last week.