Burn Advisory Issued in Armstrong
Commissioner Jason Renshaw issued a burn advisory last week after a drought watch was officially declared of Armstrong County by the state. Renshaw discussed the action with local emergency management officials before the declaration at the regular public meeting.
by Jonathan Weaver
Last week, Armstrong County commissioners and emergency officials asked that local residents remain cautious when burning outdoors.
Already under a drought watch due to low rainfall totals, Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties have enacted burn bans - effective until the end of August.
Even though an all-out ban wasn’t issued in Armstrong, Commissioner Jason Renshaw reminded residents to be cautious.
“We talked with Randy Brozenick, our emergency management coordinator, and discussed with him his thoughts - as well as some other officials in the area - and (while) it’s not as urgent to put in a burn ban right now, (it is serious enough) to put in a burn advisory and recommend everyone to be cautious when they burn some things,” Commissioner Renshaw said. “The water tables are low, it’s been a dry year, so be cautious when you burn some things. Fires in your backyard, make sure they’re out before you leave.
“We’re going to monitor the situation as we go, but we’re getting toward Fall - when things start to die and dry up a bit more.”
Renshaw - who earned a Safety and Environmental Management degree from Slippery Rock University - also said he received input from Armstrong Conservation District’s Dave Rupert.
“It is a concern, but is it up (to the point of a ban) yet? Not yet.”
Fellow Commissioner George Skamai praised Renshaw for volunteering to be the county liaison in public safety matters.
“He’s really engrossed himself in the details and terminology,” Skamai said. “That’s something he morphed into.”
Individual county-wide burn bans in York and Cumberland Counties have also been reported.
Armstrong reported two brush fires last week and volunteer fire fighters were on high-alert as residents called in additional unknown fires.
Local officials also questioned how the ban would be enforced.
According to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, county burn bans can be put in place at the request of the District Fire Warden after at least 10 fire chiefs recommend and request the imposition of a temporary countywide burn ban on open fires. It would have to remain in effect for at least 30 days but could be extended.
Local News | admin August 8, 2016
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