June 29, 2012 — Rowan Judge-Executive Jim Nickell has issued an executive order prohibiting all open burning in Rowan County.
The order was issued yesterday due to a “period of drought-like conditions resulting in dry vegetation,” according to the order.
Nickell was advised by the Morehead-Rowan County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the Kentucky Division of Forestry that a major fire hazard exists.
The order states that all outdoor burning is prohibited until such a time as conditions exist that warrant the order be rescinded. The only exception to the ban on outdoor burning is for fires lit on a grill for the purpose of FOOD PREPARATION ONLY (emphasis from order).
The executive order will be enforced by all sworn peace officer within the jurisdiction of Rowan County. Deputy Judge-Executive Jerry Alderman said citizens should take the order very seriously.
“Thirty percent of our county is in federal forestry area, and we don’t want to get to the point where we have another major fire like we did a few years ago around the Cave Run area,” Alderman said.
“With our type of hilly terrain, fires would be very difficult to fight,” he added.
Alderman also cautioned those who will set off fireworks with the coming Fourth of July holiday period.
“The planned and controlled fireworks displays are different from the ones people do at home.
“We urge people to keep away from wooded areas, and be cautious when setting them off,” he said.
For information on the ban, call the Judge-Executive office at 784-5151.
