Vermont halts debris burning permits due to wildfire risk

Vermont has issued a statewide ban on debris burning in a hope to prevent wildfires. The two week ban orders all of the state’s forest fire wardens to cease issuing burning permits.

The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has issued the ban from 3 p.m. Oct. 28 to 3 p.m. Nov. 11. The order maybe revoked earlier if conditions warrant.

The state warned that the wildfire danger has fluctuated between high, very high and extreme throughout the state the past week. With a continued outlook for dry weather and an abundance of dry leaves in Vermont forests, wildfires have the potential to spread rapidly.

While there is some rainfall across the state projected during the next week, none is significant enough to mitigate serious fires. Humidity levels will be as low as 16% and wind is projected to gust over 30 miles per hour. All of these factors elevate the dangers of serious fires.

Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Danielle Fitzko said that many town forest fire wardens have stopped issuing bans this past week, so a statewide call to action will support that initiative. She also said there is concern about local fire department personnel becoming strained and fatigued as they respond to wildland fires.

Fires started from burning debris and improper disposal of wood stove ash destroyed two camps in Barnard this past weekend.

Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.