Ban on Burning in Effect State Wide

Burn Permit Ban Goes Into Effect in Vermont
MONTPELIER - May 5, 2015 - After a warm, dry weekend and a Red Flag warning yesterday that ended with more than 25 new reports of wild fires, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) has issued an order for all of the state's forest fire wardens to cease issuing burning permits as of 3:00 P.M. on May 5th through May 19th. A Red Flag Warning means there are critical fire weather conditions including low relative humidity, high winds with little to no precipitation had fallen in the past few days. Fires that ignite during these conditions spread rapidly and with high intensity. The ban may be revoked or extended based upon weather conditions.
"We have received notification from many Forest Fire Wardens that they have stopped issuing permits in their towns," said Lars Lund, Vermont Forest Fire Supervisor, “This non-burn order supports their efforts.” This ban is a cooperative effort between FPR and the Green Mountain National Forest.
"We are seeing fast moving fires burning intensely in difficult terrain and with damage to structures or with structures threatened,” said Lund. “Downed power lines caused the largest fire yesterday in Brattleboro due to high winds. While this type of fire can’t be avoided, human caused fires can be prevented. Because of the warm weather, we know there are a lot of people in the woods. Today's order will help us and help the state's fire wardens reduce the sources of fires."
Lund stressed that the order is for two weeks, and if significant rain falls anywhere in the state, the order can be revoked by county.