Portsmouth Bans Outdoor Burning Due to Dry Conditions

All outdoor burning is banned until further notice, but you can still light up the grill in your backyard, according to Portsmouth fire officials. 

The fire chief banned all outdoor burning Monday due to dry weather conditions. 

"The Department of Environmental Management Wildland fire danger index is at 'Class 4/High Danger,'" said Deputy Chief Michael O'Brien, spokesman for the Portsmouth Fire Department. "The ban is only temporary and will be lifted as soon as it rains or humidity increases.

"We have placed the ban based on a rash of wild land fires in surrounding communities and the fire danger stated by DEM." 

Many residents questioned on Portsmouth's Facebook page if the ban applied to outdoor fire pits. 

"The outdoor burning applies to any type of outside fire. Exception, cooking fires contained to a device that is specifically designed for cooking (BBQ grills)," O'Brien said. "Dispose of charcoals with much caution and only after they have been saturated with water."