PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As a severe drought continues to plague our region, officials have issued 30-day burn bans in several Philly suburbs.
Delaware County’s burn ban took effect on Nov. 7. Larry Bak, deputy director of emergency management, said it is much-needed to help keep residents and the land safe, as fires can more easily spread on dry brush.
“Until [Nov. 10], we had 42 days without any measurable rain,” he said. “In the month of October, the county saw 92 brush fires … and several of those were large enough that they required multi-company responses.”
Delaware County Council passed the ban after the recommendation of more than 70 fire chiefs.
“It basically prohibits bonfires, campfires, any sort of outdoor burning,” Bak explained. “Fire pits, those types of things that would be used to do any kind of outside burning. Burning of debris, trash.”
NJ Burn Ban
In addition to the burn ban, Aqua, the county’s top water supplier, is asking residents to conserve their water usage.
“No watering of lawns, washing of cars, that type of thing,” he said. “As anyone driving by our watersheds has noticed, the levels are very low.”
In addition to the county-wide ban, several municipalities have their own burn bans, all of which could result in fines.
Both Chester County and Bucks County are banning open fires through Nov. 26.
Parts of Montgomery County issued burn bans as well. Conshohocken’s ban is in effect through Nov. 19, and Montgomery Township’s through Thanksgiving.
The ongoing dry spell is the region's longest record since 1874.