Despite heavy rains in southern Ellis County over the weekend, a majority of the county remains extremely dry. For that reason the Ellis County Commission has implemented a ban on outdoor burning. Commissioner Swede Holmgren says residents are worried about the potential for large fires.

Rural Fire Chief Dick Klaus says he’s imposed tighter restrictions on controlled burns and those haven’t been the cause of the fires throughout the county over the past month.

The commission, however, chose to institute the ban, which Holmgren said is effective immediately. However the county commission will have to sign and publish a resolution next week.  The ban will remain in place until conditions improve.