At least until snow flies

As a tinder-dry summer slips into a parched fall, local fire chief Mark Ballmer said the department is not issuing any burn permits in or outside city limits.

Last week, yet another area fire erupted near Paxton because of dry conditions.

“There were 15 departments there and we were on stand-by,” Ballmer said.

Most likely, no more burn permits will be issued until there’s snow cover, he said.

“And we feel it’s safe.”