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At their November 7th meeting, County Council passed Resolution No. 112-2024 which enacts a ban on all burning in Northampton County. County Executive Lamont McClure proposed the ban after a written recommendation from the District Forester and the endorsement and approval of at least twelve County Fire Chiefs.
“With conditions this dry, a burn ban is needed to protect public health and safety,” says County Executive Lamont McClure. “The Lehigh Valley only received 0.02 inches of rain in October—one of the driest months ever recorded in this area. I urge everyone to be cautious, especially in light of the recent forest fire on Blue Mountain in Lehigh Township.”
All open outdoor burning is banned as of 12:00 AM on November 10, 2024. The ban will last for 30 days or until a further resolution passed by County Council, whichever comes first. The ban may be enforced by any sworn police officer including, but not limited to, the Pennsylvania State Police and all police of Northampton County municipalities.
Council added an exemption to its resolution for the traditional bonfire held at Easton High School during the week of the Thanksgiving holiday so long as the Palmer Township Police and Fire provide their written approval that they believe the bonfire can be held safely and without threat to persons or properties and will be managed by one or more trucks on site for the duration of the bonfire event.
An open burn ban is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material (garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter or any sort of debris) out-of-doors either in a burn barrel, fire ring or on the ground. The use of propane gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills or tobacco in any form is not covered in the resolution. Campfires in fire rings which confine and contain the fire are allowed in designated state, federal or Department of Environmental Protection licensed campgrounds.
County Council last enacted a burn ban in April 2012.
Information provided to TVL by:
County of Northampton
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/
