WASHINGTON, Ill. — The City of Washington has banned open burning for the next 30 days.
Mayor Gary Manier said in a statement on Washington’s Facebook page that open burning is temporarily being suspended to help make sure emergency personnel are available during the COVID-19 crisis.
Fire Chief Roger Traver said the burn ban helps to eliminate the potential for fires to get out of control and frees up fire crews for critical need calls. It also helps protect firefighters from the coronavirus by limiting exposure.
“So we’ve stopped any access to the fire house. We’ve stopped non-emergency trips into the public. They’re not doing any public relations and they’re not doing any inspections,” Traver said.
Traver said the ban will also help protect Washington’s older residents and those with asthma, COPD or heart conditions, from potentially being being exposed to the coronavirus.
“If we can, by banning burning for the next 30 days, prevent one patient from having to go to the hospital, and limit their exposure to the virus, than it’s worth what we’ve done,” Traver said.
