Nick McWilliams reporting – Despite some very sporadic rain showers and thundershowers in Ohio over the weekend, dry conditions remain creating a perfect storm for brush fires.
Currently, around three quarters of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, with a certified drought expected to develop in the coming weeks and soil moisture conditions trending towards lower percentiles.
With the current state of the weather leading to dry foliage and low water content in the ground, fire officials are concerned about risks with burning. New Philadelphia Fire Captain Robert Snyder says that residents need to keep open burning laws in mind to prevent property damage or fire-related injury.
“Remember, also, the only fires that you’re legally allowed to have in the state of Ohio without permits and other things from your local fire department are recreational fires. Those are three-feet in diameter, three-feet high. And it has to be clean, dried, seasoned firewood. You’re not allowed to burn trash, or any construction debris, or stuff like that.”
According to the latest Fire Danger Forecast through the National Weather Service, Ohio sits almost entirely at high risk as of June 3rd, with pockets of very high risk on the eastern border with Pennsylvania.
Some rain is forecasted for June 11th through at least June 17th, but risks will remain until the ground becomes more saturated and vegetation regains some moisture.
Others ways to prevent brush fires include disposing of smoking materials properly, and preventing sparks from entering dry areas.
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