Berks County Commissioners at the request of DCNR have instituted a temporary burning ban for the entire County. This ban is enforceable by Law Enforcement and does have fines attached. See details below.

RESOLUTION NO. 151-2023

IMPOSING OF A TEMPORARY BAN ON OUTDOOR BURNING IN THE COUNTY OF BERKS AND ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE BAN.

WHEREAS, the Berks County Board of Commissioners received a written recommendation from the District Forester on behalf of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) who has received or solicited verbal requests from 19 Fire Chiefs and also Fire Wardens of Berks County recommending and requesting the imposition of a temporary countywide ban on outdoor open burning in Berks County; and

WHEREAS, the existing dry and dangerous burning conditions and sub-average rainfall have created a great risk of fire in Berks County that requires soaking rain to end the fire danger; and

WHEREAS, Berks County has seen a large increase in the number and size of wildfires in recent days and emergency measures are required to reduce the severity of this danger; and

WHEREAS, said conditions warrant a County-wide burning ban for the protection of life, welfare, safety, and property in Berks County; and

WHEREAS, state law authorizes counties to provide for the imposition of a temporary County-wide ban on open fires, 1995 Act 52, 16 P.S. § 13201, et seq.; and

ban;

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Berks County Board of Commissioners to enact a burning

 

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE BERKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:

 

1. All open outdoor burning is hereby banned in Berks County, Pennsylvania for a period of no more than thirty (30) days from the effective date of this resolution or as modified/removed by future resolution, whichever is earlier, provided the County does not receive a recommendation to extend the burning ban from the District Forester.

 

2. Upon the recommendation of the District Forester, the burning ban may be extended by resolution for a period of up to an additional 30

 

3. Open burning is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material (including but not limited to garbage, leaves, twigs, wood, litter, paper, vegetative matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris) out of doors either in a burn barrel, backyard fire pit or on the  The use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills, or the use of tobacco in any form is not covered under this burn bans. County residents are encouraged to responsibly dispose of cigarettes and related products to minimize the risk of fire. While the County believes the ban should be universal, the DCNRs definition of bum ban allows campfires in fire rings that confine and contain the campfire in a designated state, federal or Department of Environmental Protection licensed campground.

 

4. The provisions of this resolution shall become effective at 6:00 P.M., April 16th,2023, pursuant to the forty-eight (48) hour minimum statutory notice requirement of the burning

 

5. The Berks County Director of Emergency Services, in coordination with theBerks County Public Relations Officer shall notify the residents of Berks County of the burning ban  by:

(1) Notifying local and state media outlets of the ban; (2) Notifying all Berks County Fire Chiefs of the ban; (3) Placing notice of the ban on the County of Berks website; and (4) Notifying the offices of all Berks County municipalities of the ban.

 

6. This burning ban may be enforced byany sworn police officer when available including the Pennsylvania State Police and all police departments of the Berks County

 

7. In accordance with 16 P.S. 13204, a person who violates this burn ban commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $300 for the third offense. The aforesaid penalties shall not act as limitation on any other remedies provided in law or equity.

 

8. When ever a violation of this this burn ban occurs in a city, borough, incorporated town or township which has in effect an ordinance prohibiting open burning, the police officer may cite the violation under either the municipal ordinance or the county  Under no circumstances shall any person be cited for violations of both the county resolution and the municipal ordinance for the same violation

 

9. The provisions of this bum ban shall supersede any municipal ordinance to the contrary.

 

ADOPTED This 14 DAY OF April 2023.

COUNTY OF BERKS

 

Kevin S. Barnhardt, Chief Operations Officer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    On behalf of the Berks County Board of Commissioners pursuant to the authority granted in                                                                                                                                                                                         Resolution 21-2023 and associated resolutions.