For Immediate Release – September 29, 2025
The Coles County Emergency Management Agency, Coles County Fire Departments in conjunction with the Coles County Board Chairman, Darrel Cox, alert all Coles County residents: A COUNTY WIDE BURN BAN TO TAKE EFFECT AS OF NOON TODAY!
CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS: The fire departments located in Coles County, along with County Board Chairman Darrel Cox, and the Coles County Emergency Management Agency hereby notify all Coles County residents that a burn ban will be in place- effective Noon(12:00) today, September 29th, 2025, across all of Coles County. This burn ban was instituted by the Fire Chiefs of Coles County. The Fire Chiefs have the authority to issue a burn ban, pursuant with Illinois State Law (70 ILCS 705/8.20) directing everyone to refrain from any open burning, including landscape waste, agricultural waste, household trash, and garbage. Also included in this ban are any type of consumer fireworks. The Fire Departments can, by law, impose fines for violation of this burn ban and will, after warning and extinguishing these fires, impose a fine of $100.00. Fines will be in accordance with (70 ILCS 705/11f(c)) for the second violation.
What is allowed: Small campfires in fire rings or contained fire pits, as long as they are attended and fully extinguished when finished.
This ban will be in effect until further notice.
Due to the worsening drought conditions throughout Coles County, we are advising all citizens to refrain from any type of burning, including the use of consumer grade fireworks, until further notice. At the present time, conditions are expected to be very favorable for the outbreak of wildfires and other uncontrolled events. “The Fire Chiefs in the county, with the authority granted by Illinois Statute, have recommended and approved this burn ban to prohibit any type of burning or the use of consumer grade fireworks. This burn ban will remain in effect until significant rainfall over the area takes place. An official notice- when the burn ban is lifted, will be issued. Please direct any questions to the Fire Chief of your local Fire Department or Fire Protection District. On behalf of the County Board Chairman, the Sheriff, and Elected Officials, I urge everyone to cooperate with the Fire Chiefs in this matter.”
Thank you all for your help making this a safe time for everyone.
Jim Hilgenberg, Director
Coles County Emergency Management Agency
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