Is this January...or what?

Counties issue burning bans

(Oskaloosa-AP) -- Dry conditions have prompted some counties in
southeast Iowa to ban opening burning.
Mahaska County enacted a ban on the burning of any type of
material outside. The ban went into effect yesterday.
The ban was issued by the Oskaloosa Fire Department and the
state fire marshal's office. Officials say it will remain in effect
until the area receives significant amounts of rain or snow.
Last week, officials in Wapello, Keokuk and Appanoose counties
also imposed bans on open burning.
The bans were issued after Iowa experienced the driest December
on record.



(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)