PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Editor's note: The above video is from Oct. 27.
A lack of rain in Pennsylvania this fall is contributing to an increased risk of fire spreading out of control.
Many municipalities across the Commonwealth are enacting burn bans due to extended dry conditions and windy weather that pose a wildfire risk. In many places, violators can be fined.
Burn bans currently in effect include but are not limited to the bans listed below:
Adams County
Oxford Township officials prohibited all open burning and all burning of items in barrels until further notice.
Littlestown Borough
Chief of police and borough manager Charles Kellar announced on Nov. 8 that there is a burn ban in effect in Littlestown Borough.
Cumberland County
Carlisle Borough
The borough has banned all outdoor burning, including recreational fires, from Nov. 2 through Dec. 1 unless conditions cause a change to be made earlier.
Southampton Township, Shippensburg Township, Shippensburg Borough
Emergency management managers and supervisors enacted a ban on open burning until further notice. Residents with questions are directed to contact their municipal office:
- Shippensburg Borough: 717-532-2147
- Shippensburg Township: 717-532-7137
- Southampton Township, Cumberland County: 717-532-9041
Monroe Township
According to Monroe Township Secretary Karen M. Lowery, the township is under a burn ban until further notice.
Dauphin County
Effective immediately, as a result of a Red Flag Warning & Fire Weather Watch issued for Dauphin County by the NWS relative to conditions prevalent for brush fires, no open outdoor building is permitted within Derry Township until further notice.
Borough of Highspire
The borough of Highspire issued a ban on open burning, effective Nov. 11.
Franklin County
County-wide Burn Ban
On Nov. 13, the Franklin County Commissioners announced a countywide burn ban on all open fires. The resolution was adopted at the commissioners’ public board meeting. The ban remains in effect for up to 30 days.
By law, county commissioners may only enact a burn ban after receiving a written recommendation from the district forester who has received or solicited requests from at least 10 fire chiefs or 50% of the fire chiefs in the county, whichever is less. The commissioners can extend the ban for up to an additional 30 days upon the request of the district forester.
Open burning is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material out of doors in either a burn barrel, fire ring (screened or unscreened), or on the ground. Combustible materials include but are not limited to items such as garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetation matter involved in land clearing, or any sort of debris. The use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills or the use of tobacco in any form are not covered under this act.
Southampton Township, Shippensburg Borough
Emergency management managers and supervisors enacted a ban on open burning until further notice. Residents with questions are directed to contact their municipal office:
- Shippensburg Borough: 717-532-2147
- Southampton Township, Franklin County: 717-532-9646 ext. 103
Waynesboro
The borough of Waynesboro has prohibited all open burning of lumber, leaves, straw and other debris until further notice.
Juniata County Commissioners signed a resolution to implement a temporary ban on open burning on Nov. 4. The burn ban, which was strongly recommended by local officials and the District Forester, goes into effect on Nov. 7.
The burning of garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper or any other debris is prohibited under the 30-day, county-wide ban. Charcoal, gas or propane grills are not part of the ban.
The ban went into effect on Oct. 27.
Lancaster County
Due to current and forecasted dry weather conditions, the East Earl Township Board of Supervisors has declared a temporary burn ban for all of East Earl Township. The ban took effect on Monday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. and will remain in place until Nov. 30 at noon.
The burn ban restricts all open burning, including certain types of burning that would normally be permitted under the Township's burning ordinance.
As of Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m., a burn ban has been declared for West Earl Township. This ban includes all types of open burning, including recreational fires. The ban is in effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.
Residents and visitors are advised to refrain from engaging in any open burning activities to ensure public safety and prevent potential hazards.
Clay Township issues a temporary Burn Ban, effective November 12, 2024 for 30-days or until rescinded or extended. The order prohibits open burning.
The York County Board of Commissioners voted to enact a 30-day ban on open burning, which goes into effect on Friday, Nov. 1.
The burn ban will be reviewed periodically throughout the 30 days by the York County Office of Emergency Management and the Fire Chief's Association to determine if the ban can be lifted earlier due to changing weather conditions.