CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County residents will remain under a burn ban despite some recent rainfall.
Due to dry conditions, the Clearfield County Commissioners enacted the county-wide burn ban last week upon request from the county’s Department of Emergency Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
According to previously published reports, the ban includes:
- Burning leaves, grass, branches, twigs or garbage in any outdoor burn barrels or fire rings.
- Cooking fires
- Open charcoal grills
This excludes:
- Propane gas grills
- Enclosed charcoal grills
On Tuesday Commissioner John A. Sobel, chair, said there were requests to lift the burn ban. “We’re getting close, but we’re not quite there just yet,” he said.
He noted there has been some confusion over the burn ban. He said: “We don’t want residents to think they can’t have a controlled camp fire in a fire ring or pit.
“… We’re talking about burning trash, having a burn barrel and leaving it, burning brush or burning to clear property.”
Commissioner Mark B. McCracken said the burn ban was enacted, so that there weren’t open fires that could possibly get out of control.
“If you have a camp fire, we ask you to keep an eye on it and make sure when you put it out, that it’s out,” said Sobel.
In a press release, Sandy Township Fire Chief John Hallowell said, Effective Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8 a.m., he would be lifting the burn ban for Sandy Township.
“All Sandy Township residents are to be reminded there is still a county-wide burn ban. Please review the burn ban guidelines set forth by the county,” he said.