Supervisors discuss burn ordinance, emphasize education and communication

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County’s open burn ordinance is getting a long-anticipated update, as supervisors respond to persistent weather conditions, rising fire risks, and community concerns.

During a public hearing Thursday, Supervisor Steve Detrick said the revised ordinance aims to reduce the number of unnecessary emergency responses and better equip landowners with clear procedures for safe burning.

“The purpose is to reduce unnecessary fire calls, particularly during red flag and burn ban days,” Detrick said, citing input from local volunteer fire departments who’ve been stretched thin by avoidable calls.

The updated ordinance comes amid a pattern of consistently dry and windy conditions that have left fields and ditches vulnerable to rapid fire spread. Earlier this year, area fire chiefs and emergency officials reported multiple out-of-control burns, particularly of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands and road ditches. Those incidents often required multiple departments to respond — sometimes across county lines — straining resources and personnel.

Henry County Emergency Management and local dispatch services will now play a more active role in notifying the public of hazardous conditions. The county’s emergency alert app will send out notifications of burn bans and red flag warnings.

“The app is free, and alerts go directly to your phone,” said Sheriff Rich McNamee. “We’ll also use our Facebook page and work with local media to get the word out.”

Under the proposed ordinance, residents planning to burn are required to notify the sheriff’s office beforehand and again once the burn is complete. This two-step process is meant to reduce duplicate 911 calls and ensure that fire departments only respond to unplanned or uncontrolled fires.

“If you don’t call and somebody sees a fire, we may get 10 calls on your field,” McNamee explained. “And we’re sending fire departments to a fire that you set on purpose.”

Supervisors and emergency officials also emphasized the need for public education.

The ordinance revisions were first introduced earlier this year but faced pushback from some rural residents who feared it would place unfair restrictions on routine farm and land management practices. During earlier hearings, some speakers criticized the original draft for being too vague and potentially penalizing common sense burns, such as fire pits or small brush piles.

The supervisors took that feedback into account, removing overly broad language and clarifying that recreational fires and routine agricultural burns — when conducted responsibly — would not be penalized.

“We swung too far at first,” Detrick admitted. “This new draft brings us back to the middle, where safety and practicality can meet.”

Sheriff McNamee noted that improved communication and community involvement are key to the ordinance’s success.

“If you call us before and after a burn, that helps us respond appropriately if something goes wrong,” he said. He also encouraged landowners to talk with neighbors and share information about safe practices.

Emergency officials are also coordinating with the Henry County Extension Office and local FSA agents to educate landowners on proper burn procedures and how to avoid violations.

“Many of these folks are doing what they’ve always done,” McNamee said. “But conditions have changed, and we all need to adapt.”

The board plans to hold formal readings of the revised ordinance in the coming weeks. Once adopted, the rules will take effect across Henry County, providing a clearer framework for both landowners and emergency responders.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com