🚨🔥BURN BAN IN EFFECT FOR GUERNSEY COUNTY
In response to extremely dry conditions in various areas of the state, Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon has ordered a regional Ban on Open Burning effective immediately. The ban impacts any county in Ohio identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as being in the “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” categories as identified by the United States Drought Monitoring System.
The Burn on Open Burning ordered today, Sept. 6, 2024, includes the following Ohio counties: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington. Additional counties may be added upon designation of “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” conditions issued by NOAA and/or the USDA within such counties or added by written directive of the State Fire Marshal.
Examples of outdoor activities prohibited by this order in the ban area include the following: lighting or maintaining a fire of any type at any location, smoking (including cigarettes or similar devices, and as part of a cooking process), non-electric cooking (regardless of fuel source), using or discharging any type of fireworks, throwing down/discarding lighted or smoldering material (including matches or cigarettes), campfires, bonfires, live fire training events, flame effect(s) based displays or exhibitions (including sky lanterns and cold spark machines), and using spark causing devices for recreational purposes.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) §3737.82, R.C. §3737.22(A)(1) and R.C. 3737.22(A)(2), and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 1301:7-7-03(G)(1)(b), Ohio Fire Code (OFC) 307.1.2, the Division of State Fire Marshal issues the following Ban on Open Burning Order.
Click here to access the order: dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/com.ohio.gov/SME%20Video%20Interviews/State_Fire_Marshal-_Openin...
“Fire safety is a responsibility we all share,” said Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “It’s critical that Ohioans understand and appreciate the significant risks associated with fires, especially during the current drought conditions. Together we can protect our communities and environment.”
The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry, and the Wayne National ForestWayne National Forest urge all Ohioans to take special precautions due to the dry weather, whether they are in a county impacted by the Ban on Open Burning or not.
“All Ohioans, particularly homeowners, farmers, and woodland owners, should be cautious during this dry period,” said ODNR Division of Forestry Fire Prevention Manager Aaron Kloss. “Most of the plant materials in Ohio that can fuel wildfires are currently dry and will stay this way until we have significant rainfall. Current dry weather patterns with warm temperatures, low humidities, and wind are increasing the risk of wildland fires in Ohio.”
Dry grasses, shrubs, dead leaves, and fallen pine needles are all examples of plant materials that can fuel wildfires. Even if rain is in the forecast, it will require an extended period of soaking rains to reduce the elevated threat of wildfires throughout the state. Spring and fall are the typical wildfire seasons in Ohio; however, the current weather situation and resulting wildfire fuel situation is not typical. Warm, dry windy days in the fall, combined with abundant dead leaves falling and herbaceous plants entering dormancy and drying out, typically create situations conducive to wildfire igniting and spreading.
“Familiar things like vehicle exhaust pipes or an unattended campfire could quickly ignite dry fuels,” said Wayne National Forest Supervisor Lee Stewart. “We’re asking the public to be careful with outdoor fire. If you’re outdoors this season, please be observant and report smoke or flames to emergency authorities right away. Our fire and law enforcement personnel are ready to serve and respond when needed.”
Residents can take measures to prevent accidental wildfires including, avoiding burning trash and debris, keeping grass trimmed, not discarding cigarettes and other smoking materials outside, postponing fireworks, and avoiding open cooking fires or campfires. Additionally, farmers should regularly check their equipment for any irregularities that can lead to a brush or crop field fire.
Anyone who sees any signs of wildfire should call their local fire department immediately to report it. Accurate and timely reporting of wildfire responses by Ohio fire departments is important for a rapid response to the incident.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
I wish they had done that before idiots were setting off fireworks here on Labor Day weekend. 🙄
****Update**** 10:33 8/29/2024
The male has been located and is safe! Thank You!
Missing Person with Down Syndrome: Travis Bonnell, a 25-year-old white male, 5'4 " and bald, was last seen on the 800 block of Stewart Avenue in Cambridge around 4:30AM this morning (8/29/2024). He was last seen wearing a blueish-gray shirt, tan shorts, and a ball cap. If located, please call 911 immediately.
*Updated photo - Correction on the shorts; they are tan.
112 CommentsComment on Facebook
Pray he comes home safe 🙏🏾🥹
God, I ask of you to bring this young man home safely and as soon as possible in the name of our father in heaven Amen
GCSO Investigations Division Takes Down Two High-Level Local Narcotics Dealers
While executing a search warrant in North Cambridge near Cambridge City Schools' North Campus,
Sheriff Jeffrey Paden would like to announce the names, charges, and further details of those charged in connection to a long-term narcotics investigation, which culminated by a search warrant in the nighttime hours of August 22, 2024.
“Around December 2023, Investigators with my office started investigating large-scale drug trafficking operations near Cambridge City Schools. Through a detailed and in-depth investigation, my detectives, along with the assistance from deputies, put an end to a large-scale operation involving the trafficking of fentanyl after culminating the investigation with a search warrant during the late evening hours of August 22nd.
During this operation, my people not only took down their main target of the long-term investigation but also another large-scale area dealer who is known to traffic methamphetamines who was in the area at the execution of the warrant. As a result, 1st-degree felony levels of narcotics, along with a firearm, and numerous items of drug trafficking evidence were seized.
During this raid, a juvenile child was also removed from the residence and is now in separate and safe care at the direction of Guernsey County Children’s Services.”
Sheriff Paden added,” Within the past week, my office has taken down three separate large-scale narcotics traffickers in this county through two separate investigations. While I know the drug problem is an uphill battle, and there will always be numerous targets, we will continue to stay aggressive in eradicating the drugs.”
The individuals charged as a result of the search warrant execution are as follows:
Robert Miller, age 43 of Cambridge, has been charged with the following charges:
- Trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound (a felony of the first degree)
- Trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound (a felony of the fourth degree with a school zone specification)
- Possession of a fentanyl-related compound (a felony of the first degree)
- Illegal manufacture of drugs (a felony of the first degree with a vicinity of a juvenile specification)
Justin Davison, age 42 of Cambridge has been charged with the following charges:
- Aggravated trafficking in drugs (a felony of the first degree with school zone specification)
- Aggravated possession of drugs (a felony of the second degree)
- Having weapons while under disability (a felony of the third degree)
Cassie Wolverton , age 42 has been charged with:
- Permitting Drug Abuse (a felony of the fifth degree)
- Child Endangerment (a felony of the third degree)
www.guernseysheriff.com/gcso-investigations-division-takes-down-two-high-level-local-narcotics-de...
106 CommentsComment on Facebook
Good job guys! Now for the courts to uphold their part.
Good job! Keep at it.
Great job officers!! Stay safe out there and thank you for keeping us safe.