Township Issues Burn Ban

Lower Macungie Township officials on Thursday voted unanimously to issue a burn ban due to the ongoing lack of rain and dry conditions.

Brush fires throughout the area -- many attributed to careless cigarettes tossed away, are to blame for at least several of the 14 mulch fires that have occurred throughout the township in the past seven days, said Ben Galiardo, township fire inspector.

Rainfall accumulation for the year usually totals about 11 inches by mid-April, but this year there has only been half that, said Township Manager Bruce Fosselman, and prediction of rain in the net few days is diminishing.

Galiardo said he has been seeing neighboring counties including Upper Milford and Washington issue similar bans.

"Even a huge downpour would not help right now," he said because the ground is so dry it would run right off.

Before he would call off the ban we would need three days of steady, soaking rain, Galiardo said.