Phelps County Fire Departments lift burn ban

With the recent rain in the Phelps County communities, the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue, in agreement with all Phelps County Fire Departments, have lifted the burn ban. The burn ban has been lifted in the City of Rolla, St. James, Newburg, Rolla Rural Fire Protection District, Doolittle Rural, Edgar Springs, and Duke. 

In the City of Rolla, burning permits are required on a daily basis and may be received by calling (573) 364-3989. Residents may only obtain a burning permit from dawn to dusk and burn natural vegetation only (leaves, limbs, grass clippings, etc.)

In addition, sky lanterns will once again be allowed to be released in the City of Rolla. However, we encourage residents to use caution and consider alternative displays for such family occasions as sky lanterns are very dangerous.

Each Phelps County Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank the many residents who stopped burning during the extremely dry and drought-like conditions. The departments may be forced to re-initiate the ban if they dry conditions return. As always, we encourage everyone to be fire safe and use extra precautions when burning natural vegetation.