The Geary County Rural Fire Department has had to respond to a number of grass fires throughout the county this year that have gotten out of control and cost the county a substantial amount of money.

In order to reclaim some of that money the County Commission has passed a resolution that will allow them to go after land owners who do not take the proper precautions while burning.

Commissioner Ben Bennett explained the penalties will depend on the fire.

“Depends on the gravity of why and how you lost it,” said Bennett. “If you hadn’t called at all, and hadn’t made any previous pre-conditions like back fires, disking and whatever needs to be done around the perimeters and it gets away you are going to be held responsible for it.”

According to the resolution the criminal penalties are broken down into three levels:

A) A class C nonperson misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of thirty days in jail and/or a $500.00 fine.

B) A class B non person misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

C) A class A non person misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.

Those who are subject to such penalties can also be subject to pay, as reimbursement to the County the sum of $100 per hour, or any part of an hour, per vehicle Department in response to any open burning caused by such violator.

The resolution will also allow the County to file a civil action to go after costs for damages and expenses incurred by the County to include attorney fees, Court costs and injunctions or restraining orders when appropriate.