Burn bans, restrictions in place or starting

Local counties are putting burn bans and fire restrictions into place as the hot, dry weather continues.

Chouteau County is in a burn ban Liberty County has Stage 2 fire restrictions, Blaine County started a burn ban at 2 p.m. Tuesday and Hill County is starting a burn ban that will take effect Friday at 12:01 a.m., a ban that prohibits open burning, and the issuing of the licenses usually required to do said burning legally.

Under the ban, open burning permits will not be issued.

Open burning always requires a permit and is defined as a fire where any material is burned in the open air on the...