The Schuylkill County commissioners approved a 30-day ban on open fires in the county beginning noon Friday during a work session Wednesday morning.
"We continue to experience low humidity, high winds and little rain that have dried out much of the forest land in the county," John M. Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency coordinator, said Wednesday. "We are looking to protect property and forest lands, but we are also really concerned about emergency personnel who have responding to the numerous fires across the county."
The resolution was recommended by Mark W. Deibler, district forester for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Matz said a burn ban was discussed during meetings with firefighters Sunday and fire chiefs Tuesday.
"It has been a topic of discussion because it has been a difficult time for firefighters in the county," Matz said.
Matz said a burn ban requires affirmation of at least 50 percent, or 10 members, which ever is lower, of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association. He said 10 members agreed almost immediately and more support the ban.
"It's just something that we need to do and we ask county residents to be extra cautious," Commissioner Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier said.
Under the ban, residents are forbidden from any outdoor burning of items such as garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter and paper. Grilling in proper containers is still permitted, however, the ban forbids lighting fires in outdoor burn barrels or fire rings. Residents violating the ban can face fines up to $100 for the first violation with $200 for the second and $300 for each additional violation. Violators are also responsible for the cost of extinguishment of any wildland fire they cause and can cost thousands of dollars.
Businesses can request an exemption to the burn ban by filing a letter of explanation detailing the adverse economic effects of the burn to the Schuylkill County EMA.
Conditions are continually evaluated by DCNR personnel and they may recommend an extension or an early lifting of the ban according to conditions. Questions can be directed to the county EMA at 570-622-3739.
The board approved bans on open burning in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2010. According to statistics from the Schuylkill County EMA, the county experienced 128 wildfires last year.
As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Matz said there have been 52 fires since the beginning of the April, making it the sixth highest number for the month since 2001 with more than 10 days left. Matz said adjacent counties have either enacted or are considering burn bans.
County EMA statistics reveal March, April and May experience the most forest fires throughout the year. During a seven-year span, wildfire totals for the county were 287 in March, 363 in April and 220 in May. There was no other month reaching triple digits during that time span.
The state Department of Forestry have already prohibited open fires on state forestland from March 1 through May 25 as the fire danger continues to be listed as high, very high, or extreme.
In other news, the board of commissioners approved a grant agreement with the Homeland Security Grant Program for $1,358,573. The grant will be used to support planning, training, exercises, maintenance and administrative functions of the East Central Task Force from Sept. 1, 2011 through Aug. 31, 2014.
Also approved was a grant application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for funding towards the county Adult Probation office's intensive supervision program. Funds will be used toward the salary of a probation officer assigned exclusively to supervise sex offenders. If awarded, the grant covers a one-year period starting July 1, 2012. It is awarded annually with funds ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 for a fourth-class county, like Schuylkill County, with a population of 145,000 to 209,999.
The board gave approval to the county Election Bureau to hire six or more individuals for the computing board at the rate of $70 per day starting at 9 a.m. April 27 for the purpose of counting the returns from the primary election on April 24. The board also gave approval to the bureau to hire a machine delivery driver at the rate of $210 for the election due to resignation of Karen Davison.
According to the monthly report given by county Treasurer Jacqueline V. McGovern, the county budget stood at $38,383,242, including the general fund which stood at $9,617,187 as of Wednesday.
Two approvals were also given to the reappointment and appointment of two people to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance board of directors. Robert S. Carl Jr., Orwigsburg, was reappointed and John De Balko, McAdoo, was appointed. Both serve two-year terms starting July 1, 2012.
During the retirement board meeting, the board approved the retirement of Edward Kanowski, Ringtown, as a corrections officer at the Schuylkill County Prison, effective Sunday. The board also approved the creation of a per diem activities director at Rest Haven at an hourly rate of $16.56, effective April 27 through July 31. The county District Attorney's office was approved to create the position of victim-witness project director with Janice Huth, Frackville, taking the position at a salary of $38,570, effective Monday.
The Schuylkill County Courthouse will be closed Tuesday for the primary elections. Also, the county commissioners will hold their next public meeting at 10 a.m. April 26 in the commissioners' board room.