The list of Kansas counties that have issued burning restrictions or burn bans continues to lengthen. Although meteorologists predict temperatures will cool off sllightly beginning on Sunday, dry conditions will persist, with only slight chances of rain predicted for much of the state. The possibility of wildfires will remain a real threat, and burn bans are expected to remain in place.
Burn bans currently are in force for Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Decatur, Edwards, Ellsworth, Ford, Franklin, Gove, Graham, Grant, Greenwood, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Johnson (also includes the cities Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Olathe, Overland Park and Shawnee), Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Meade, Miami (Spring Hill only), Mitchell, Morton, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas and Trego counties.
Geary, Leavenworth, Riley and Stafford Counties do not have bans, but require a permit or inspection by the fire department on a case by case basis before burning is allowed. Residents in these counties must check with their local fire or sheriff’s department for requirements.