Drought conditions result in ‘burn ban’

VW County EMA information

The hot, dry weather conditions have significantly increased the risk of fires, enough so that Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy has asked for ban on burning until conditions improve.

“I have contacted the mayors in Van Wert County and requested they enact a ‘no burn’ ban in their respective jurisdictions, effective today,” McCoy said.

With the drought expected to worsen across the area (areas in Indiana are currently under moderate drought conditions, with many communities there having village or countywide burn bans in effect.

“The conditions will worsen across Van Wert County, as no rain is expected through Wednesday, with temperatures in the low 90s,” McCoy said. “The big culprit is low humidities of 20 to 30 percent every day and humidity in the 40s at night, creating fuels for fire events.”

Mayors in Willshire and Convoy have already issued bans on burning within those communities, with other communities expected to follow suit.