FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Hot weather and dry conditions have led to some area counties enacting month-long burn bans this week, but Venango County isn’t one of them.

The Public Safety Department said Friday there was no burn ban in effect.

Clarion, Jefferson, and Clearfield each approved 30-day bans on certain types of outdoor burning this week.

Clarion’s began Friday, Jefferson’s started Thursday, and Clearfield’s began Tuesday.

“The potential for the spread of wildfires is the main reason we recommended the ban,” said Tracy Zents, Director of the county Department of Emergency Services. “Despite the rain we’ve had the last few days, it’s still very dry out there, and also we’re down four inches of rain from last year at this time.”

The burn ban includes the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material, including garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris out-of-doors,

Burning is permitted in a covered burn barrel and the use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills or the use of tobacco in any form is also allowed.

Also, campfires are allowed in fire rings that confine and contain the fire.

Crawford and Mercer counties have not banned outdoor burning either.

Fortunately, some rain has fallen this week and scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast across the region for the weekend.

Some townships or boroughs may have burn bans and residents are urged to check before they burn.