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Open fire ban reviewed

November 10, 1999
By: Sakina Dewji
State Capital Bureau As fires sweep through rural Missouri, governor Mel Carnahan reviews a request that would ban open fires. Sakina Dewji has the story from Jefferson City.

Jerry Nachtigal, spokesman for Carnahan says the governor isn't sure if he has the authority to put in place a ban that would outlaw open fires. Carnahan however supports a voluntary ban and has urged Missourians not to conduct any open burnings until weather conditions change.

If fires continue at a present rate, such a ban may be implemented, says Missouri Fire Marshall Bill Farr. For now it has been left to the individual counties to decide if they want to impose such a ban.

Farr warns that those who are irresponsible with fire may have to pay steep consequences.

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Department of Conservation officials say that unsually high temperatures coupled with a shortage of rain have been responsible for the blazes. From Jefferson City, this is Sakina Dewji

Missouri's fire marshall asks Mel Carnahan to ban open fires on the heels of a recent rash of statewide fires. Sakina Dewji has the story from Jefferson City.

As Missouri enjoys a mild November, citizens have been confronted with an unusual problem, fires. The warm tempreratures combined with a lack of moisture have caused an estimated 123 fires in Missouri over the last 10 days.

In a letter to the governor, Missouri Fire Marshall Bill Farr, requested a ban on open fires in Missouri until the current conditions change.

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Jerry Nachtigal, a spokesman for the governor, says that the governor supports the wishes of the Fire Marshall, yet does not know if he has the authority to place a ban on open fires.

Nachtigal added that the governor's legal team is currently exploring that possibility. From Jefferson City, this is Sakina Dewji.