OTTUMWA —
The rain in August has helped reduce the fire risk, and the change is evident on the state fire marshal's map of counties under an open burning ban.
At the peak, 69 of the state's 99 counties were under open burning bans. Only 41 remain under such bans as of Wednesday afternoon.
The changed map shows the shifting patterns of Iowa weather this summer. When the bans began coming into effect, eastern Iowa was the first part of the state to see them. By the peak of the bans no part of the state was without counties that prohibited open burning.
The rains in the last few weeks have helped eastern Iowa more than the western part of the state. That was evident in last week's report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, which showed the drought easing though still severe. A new report is due Thursday.
The fire marshal's map shows much the same thing. Eastern Iowa, particularly areas north of Keokuk County, is largely out from under the bans. Southeastern Iowa is a patchwork. Appanoose and Wapello counties remain under burning bans, while Mahaska and Marion counties are not.
Wapello County has been under a burn ban longer than any county that remains under a ban. Open burning has been prohibited in Wapello County since July 9.
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
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Iowa burn bans retreat as rains return
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