Chester County’s burn ban is no longer in effect, following approval today by Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe. The vote by the Commissioners to lift the ban was made at a specially scheduled public meeting following the recommendation of Chester County Department of Emergency Services Director Bill Messerschmidt.
The Commissioners approved Resolution BOC-58-24, rescinding the extended burn ban enacted by the Commissioners on November 20.
“Following a period of wet weather, the risk of fire danger has decreased across Chester County, allowing us to remove a ban on open fires,” said Bill Messerschmidt. “And while the level of precipitation remains lower than average, it has been sufficient to take this action.”
Chester County first announced a 30-day burn ban for open fires on October 27, and subsequently extended the ban. Minimal amounts of measurable precipitation – less than three days out of 60 – led to a high level of fire danger and sustained drought conditions. Even with the burn ban in place from October 27, the County experienced 166 brush fires, 73 mulch and trash fires, as well as one civilian fire death resulting from a brush fire.
“These numbers were higher than average for the time of year, even with the ban on open fires,” said Messerschmidt.
“We appreciate the support of the public during the burn ban, knowing that if it was not in place, the number of fires would have been much greater, placing a tremendous burden on our first responders.”
