Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: CD - Community Development

Directors' Update: June 25, 2025

Business Meeting: July 1, 2025

Summary:

Adopt outdoor burn restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2025

Publications:

Cover Letter To: Rieva Lester

Additional Copies To: Erika Katt, Doyle Sanford, Mindy Brooks, Kevin Engelbertson

Resolution

WHEREAS, consistent with the County’s legislative and police power authority, Lewis County may enact burn restrictions to protect public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners concurs with the decision of the Lewis County Community Development Director and the County Fire Marshal that current weather conditions create substantial fire danger throughout Lewis County; and

WHEREAS, outdoor burning causes dozens of brush fires every year, putting property and lives at risk; and

WHEREAS, while Lewis County is proposing annual burn restrictions effective July 15 each year via Resolution 25-189, current conditions prompt the need for an earlier start date for 2025.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Board of County Commissioners hereby restricts outdoor burning on all land regulated by Lewis County, effective 12:01 a.m. July 1 and extending through 11:59 p.m. October 15, 2025, as imposed by the Lewis County Fire Marshal, EXCLUDING recreational fires in designated campgrounds or on private lands in approved burning receptacles; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED nothing in this resolution shall limit the Board of County Commissioners' authority to alter the outdoor burning restrictions for Lewis County.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 1st day of July, 2025.