Douglas County placed under burn ban amid warmth, wind [Video]

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The Douglas County Fire Chiefs have issued a county-wide burn ban due to the dry, warm and windy weather we’ve seen lately.

The ban is in place until further notice. Ponca Hills Fire Chief Joel Sacks says the issuance of a Red Flag Warning prompted the ban, in addition to the warm air, gusty winds, and low relative humidity expected over the next 24 hours.

Mills County, Iowa, Emergency Management also announced Sunday that an county-wide open burn ban will begin at 8 a.m. Monday. Emergency Management Coordinator Travis Hitchcock says the record warmth and drought conditions will only worsen fire conditions through the early part of this week.

Citizens are advised not to throw out cigarettes from their vehicles and to cease burning yard waste. Small campfires are permitted if they are conducted in a brick, metal, or heavy wire-mesh fireplace; residents are advised to …