A statewide ban on outdoor burning is going into effect today. Officials say the dry spring has led to a very high fire danger throughout Vermont.
Scott Pfister, Chief of Forest Protection, for the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, says the ban will take effect by the end of the day. Pfister says town fire wardens who issue the mandatory permits for outdoor burning will be told not to issue permits for the next two weeks.
The move follows several days in Vermont that have seen dozens of fires — many of them grass fires. Pfister says until grass greens up and trees have leaves to help retain moisture, things dry out very fast when there’s no precipitation