As of October 4th, Tuscarawas and surrounding counties remain under a ban on open burning.

The designation of “extreme drought” continues across Ohio causing the State Fire Marshal Office to continue the burn ban.

Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon says average statewide water table remain below normal levels.

“The rain that we’ve had is certainly nice to have. It’s a breath of fresh air in some regard but it is in no way close to replenishing the amount of moisture when need to have in the effective burn ban area. It’s just not enough. We’ve already had fires in several of the counties that have been contained easily, but we’ve had those fires, so it does and is happening.”

Twenty-four counties are on the burn ban list, including Carroll, Guernsey, Harrison, and Tuscarawas.

Prohibited activities include any burning of trash, debris, waste, and leaf or other vegetation pile. There should also be no campfires.

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