While parts of the southeastern U-S have been flooded for weeks, many parts of Iowa are dangerously dry. The state Fire Marshal says there’s hardly a county in Iowa that’s gotten enough rain lately and many areas are several inches below normal. Roy Marshall’s office has ordered a ban on open burning for Buena (BYOO-nah) Vista County in the northwest. A number of grass fires in Buena Vista County scorched several acres of grassland and crops over the weekend, injuring one person. One fire even jumped a gravel road. Marshall says other Iowa counties may soon be added to the burn ban list. Marshall says until we get a good soaking, Iowans in all 99 counties should use extreme caution if they plan to do any burning outside. In fact, he advises to put off the chore until conditions are more safe.
Iowa's Radio News Network
