County-Wide Burn Ban to go into Effect Sunday

A Northampton County-wide ban on all outside burning will go into effect at midnight on Sunday, April 23.

Northampton County Council adopted the Burn Ban Resolution at its meeting Thursday night.

The burn ban includes, but is not limited to, the burning of:

• Trash
• Yard debris
• Campfires
• Bonfires
• Construction debris
• Fireworks

The burn ban may be enforced by any sworn police officer. Anyone caught violating the ban is subject to a fine. 

“It is extremely important for all residents and visitors to respect this ban on burning in Northampton County," said County Executive John Stoffa in a press release. "The extremely dry conditions warrant this ban."

Robert Mateff, director of , said his staff will continue to monitor the dry weather conditions.

“The existing dry and dangerous burning conditions have created a great risk to residents in the county," he said. "A burn ban can help to minimize that risk."

Scattered thunderstorms, which may produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds, are forecast for Sunday into Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The strong storm system is expected to produce a period of heavy rain. However, the storm's path is still uncertain, so the amount of rainfall remains to be seen.

Due to the dry conditions, heavier rain falls in shorter periods of time could cause a localized flood threat, according to the NWS.

For more information on the burn ban, visit Northampton County’s Emergency Management Services website at www.ncem-pa.org.