Henderson County threatens fines for burn ban violations | News

Henderson County Sheriff Ed Brady is cautioning residents not to violate the burn ban placed into effect by Judge Executive Hugh McCormick last week.  Extremely dry weather conditions forced the ban, but not everyone has been honoring the order.

Firefighters were called out twice in the Cairo area Wednesday and both fires were set.

Violating the ban is punishable by a fine of between $15 and $500.  If a person's life is placed in jeopardy or a building is burned due to an intentionally set fire, the person who created it can face felony charges.

"An out of control fire risks the safety of the firefighers," Brady said.  "While firefighters are in one area of their district fighting an intentionally set fire, another person may need their response for a home fire or medical emergency.  The delay in response to the emergency 911 call may result in someone's home or life being lost.

Brady says residents "must take the burn ban seriously.  Due to the number of fires and the dry conditions, we will take enforcement action when we can determine who set the fire."

A copy of the burn ban can be obtained by contacting the judge executive's office.

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