Following months of brush fires statewide and drought conditions, Gov. Kelly Ayotte issued a ban against open fires on Monday.

According to a release from the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the proclamation includes camping fires, debris burning, and smoking in or near woodlands and public trails. The ban is in effect until further notice.

Laconia Fire Chief Tim Joubert said his department has been “extremely busy” with outside fires. He noted this not only includes wooded areas, but over the weekend the department responded to an outside fire downtown. Currently it does not take much to start a fire, and Laconia has not issued burn permits since last week.

“With the lack of rain and moisture, everything is dry tinder that spreads really quickly,” Joubert said. “All

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