Jefferson and Johnson counties are under open burning bans. The bans were issued due to the high number of grass fires, associated with the dry and windy conditions. Driver for the Fairfield Fire Department, Steve Winslow, says up until the rain on Sunday, they were responding to a grass fire nearly every day. Mark Espe is the Chief of the Jefferson-Monroe Fire Department in Swisher, and requested the county wide ban on behalf of the Johnson County Mutual Aid Association. He says those who violate the ban can be fined and charged with a simple misdemeanor.