Portsmouth Burning Ban Lifted after Rain

PORTSMOUTH, RI—A temporary burning ban in Portsmouth has been lifted after thunderstorms rumbled over Rhode Island Friday night and brought much needed moisture to the parched ground.

The fire department called for a temporary ban on Friday as a precaution. The dry conditions posed a major brush fire risk, firefighters said.

The ban was lifted Saturday morning and the fire department said in jest that they would take full credit for last night's rain.

Now, the department is allowing outdoor burning, both recreational and brush.

That means July 4 bonfires are OK. But the normal rules still apply: you need a permit.

Permits are only available to residential homeowners and no bonfire is supposed to be lit until it has been inspected by the department.

A word of advice from the Fire Department: "Bonfires will be inspected prior to ignition, inspectors have been instructed to not allow any questionable or unsafe fires to be lit. BE CONSERVATIVE when constructing them.

It is very likely that burning will be banned again in the next few days, as dry condition will continue."