A new ordinance passed by the McDonough County Board prohibits open burning during National Weather Service (NWS) warnings.
Introduced by Joe Erlandson (R-Macomb), the law covers unincorporated McDonough County and makes open burning a violation whenever the NWS has issued a “Red Flag” warning, meaning conditions are favorable to create a serious fire incident – usually in dry spells with strong winds.
Violations would result in a fine of between $250 and $500 for subsequent violations.
Erlandson said the ordinance comes at the request of Sheriff Nick Petitgout after there was trouble enforcing recent Red Flag warnings without an accompanying ordinance.
