Campfires, trash fires and other outdoor burns are now prohibited in unincorporated areas of Douglas County, under a burn ban imposed Wednesday evening by Douglas County commissioners.

The ban came at the request of Douglas County Emergency Management, which surveyed township fire chiefs as continued dry, windy conditions literally fanned flames for an increasing number of fires.

Mark Bradford, chief of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, said that at least a dozen fires had popped up in natural areas during the past week, including three earlier Wednesday.

Lawrence High School even voluntarily canceled its Homecoming Week bonfire Wednesday night.

“We are currently living in conditions that remind me of a tinderbox,” Bradford said. “Everybody should use extreme caution using any ignition source.”

The ban is expected to remain in effect until at least Oct. 12.

Violating the ban is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine and potential jail time. Bradford’s department also has stopped issuing burn permits in the city.