State officials get two-thousand complaints every year about backyardburning, and they’re considering an immediate, statewide ban. It could gointo effect as soon as February 14th according to Peter Hamlin, Iowa’s topair quality official.Hamlin and other department of natural resources officials had recommended athree-year phase-in period for Iowa communities which do not have recyclingprograms, but Hamlin’s considering a switch to an immediate, state-wide ban.Hamlin says the number one reason to ban burning is because the smoke fromleaf and rubbish fires causes some folks to have asthma attacks.Hamlin says burning garbage can also put you at greater risk of gettingcancer.The state environmental protection commission was to consider the burn banthis week, but cancelled its meeting. The burn ban will be considered atthe commission’s January meeting.