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Burning suspended in Hamilton County because it’s too dry

People look at a wildfire burning nearby Benitachel village, eastern Spain, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Spanish firefighters are still working to bring under control a forest blaze near Valencia that forced the evacuation of around 1,000 people. Authorities said more than 200 firefighters with 65 vehicles were deployed Monday to the wildfire some 350 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Madrid. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
People look at a wildfire burning nearby Benitachel village, eastern Spain, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Spanish firefighters are still working to bring under control a forest blaze near Valencia that forced the evacuation of around 1,000 people. Authorities said more than 200 firefighters with 65 vehicles were deployed Monday to the wildfire some 350 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Madrid. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) People look at a wildfire burning nearby Benitachel village, eastern Spain, Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Spanish firefighters are still working to bring under control a forest blaze near Valencia that forced the evacuation of around 1,000 people. Authorities said more than 200 firefighters with 65 vehicles were deployed Monday to the wildfire some 350 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Madrid. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

By Staff Report 1 min read

Burning of brush and leaves in Hamilton County is suspended indefinitely because of “exceptionally dry” conditions, a news release states.

Weather conditions associated with Hurricane Matthew are expected to make conditions even worse, according to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.

“We appreciate citizens understanding the need to exercise caution in light of these extremely hazardous conditions,” bureau director Bob Colby said in the release. “People have patiently waited for the beginning of burning season. We just ask that they wait a little bit longer until we get some rain to provide safer burning conditions to prevent air pollution problems and loss of property and potential loss of life.”

The bureau will continue to issue burn permits during normal operating hours, but they will not be valid until conditions improve and burning is approved on a daily basis, officials said.

For more information about burning in Hamilton County, visit the Bureau’s website at www.apcb.org or contact Amber Boles, public relations coordinator, at 423-643-5970 oraboles@chattanooga.gov.