Washington County officials reinstated a countywide burn ban, effective immediately on. The ban will be in effect for at least a week.

Burn bans are in effect for 15 Iowa counties due to warm, dry and windy conditions. Fire restrictions are in place for Adair, Adams, Audubon, Clinton, Decatur, Des Moines, Guthrie, Henry, Jackson, Linn,

Bastrop County Judge Gregory Klaus issued the burn ban in response to dry conditions. The ban is enforced through March 19 and carries penalties for violations.

Several wildfires have caught in Western North Carolina over the past few weeks, including the 3910 Fire in Polk County, and this has made effective fire management and prevention a priority to local officials and residents.