Warren County Issues No-Burn Order; Authorities Discouraging Use of Fireworks

The Warren County Commission Thursday, June 28, issued a no-burn order that goes into effect immediately with severe dry conditions extending into next week.

The notice prohibits county residents from open burning of any kind, though it will not prohibit the use of fireworks with the Fourth of July holiday approaching.

The no-burn order will remain in effect until further notice, according to county officials. It was requested to the county commission by fire chiefs from Warrenton, Wright City and Marthasville.

“We don't want to end up in a situation like other states and agencies are experiencing right now,” Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby said.

Temperatures over the next week are expected to top the century mark and no rain is in the forecast.

An outright ban on fireworks was considered briefly, but enforcement would be difficult. Anyone using fireworks, Owenby emphasized, should use caution.

“There is no way we can stop and effectively prevent folks from using consumer fireworks,” Owenby said. “There is no way possible.”

Local fire chiefs are encouraging residents to attend public fireworks displays scheduled to be Wednesday, July 4, at the Warren County Fair and Saturday, July 7, at Innsbrook.

He said both of those will be monitored by local fire departments.

“We will be there maintaining perimeters around those,” Owenby said.

Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said the no-burn order will be lifted once “we get enough rain to get us out of this drought.”

“Everybody needs to be very careful,” he commented.