A prohibition on open burning in Story County will be in effect indefinitely, said Ames city officials.

“A burn ban is issued when a majority of fire chiefs request it done; then the state fire marshal declares it,” said Steve Lekwa, director of Story County Conservation.

A burn ban means “no one can have a fire in the outdoors in Story County until the ban is lifted,” he said.

According to the Story County Emergency Management Agency, a proclamation issued by the state fire marshal allows for supervised, controlled burning if a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the district where the burning will occur. Violation of the burn ban is a misdemeanor offense.

“Conditions are so very dry, the driest since 1988, and the fields make it especially dangerous,” Lekwa said.

Elwynn Taylor, professor of climatology, said central Iowa has been uncommonly dry for several months.

“Conditions in the area were drier than usual in late July and have become increasingly severe since then,” he said.

Lekwa said these dry conditions, coupled with “rural fire departments that have fought one too many grass fires,” prompted the ban.

September and October usually bring about 3 inches of precipitation to the Story County area, Taylor said. November averages 2 inches, and December averages 1 inch.

“We have seen hardly half of that statewide,” he said. “It could remain dry until it is really winter. Just a passing rain won’t be sufficient.”

No significant rain is expected until around Nov. 20, Lekwa said.

“We need lots of rain — if we don’t end up with snow, the ban could last all winter,” he said.

While grass and other trees go dormant for the winter months, drought conditions are extremely hard on evergreen trees because they depend greatly on moisture, Lekwa said. Until the ground freezes, he recommends a weekly watering of any trees and shrubs planted within the past two years.

Ames Fire Capt. Tom Hilts said the Ames Fire Department is not under the jurisdiction of Story County, but it will enforce the permanent burning ban in effect within city limits that was instated a year ago.