The city of Madison said Monday it has lifted the ban on outdoor burning.

The burn ban was issued last week because there was a high risk of brush fires starting due to the weather conditions.

The Madison Fire Department said the recent rainfall minimizes concern for outdoor burning in the city of Madison -- however the high winds should temporarily limit burning.

Given the rainfall, the city of Madison has lifted the ban, according to Bernadette Galvez of the Madison Fire Department.

Approved outdoor fireplaces and fire pits may now be used. Prairie and/or natural lawn burns, approved by permits, may also be conducted. 

More information about outdoor and open burning in Madison can be found at http://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/documents/OutdoorandOpenBurningGuide.pdf.

The city of Madison is declaring a snow emergency for Friday night and Saturday night, according to the city's website.

All people who park on the street throughout the entire city must abide by the alternate-side parking regulations.This includes the downtown Isthmus area where the snow emergency will be in effect. The parking restrictions will be 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. on both nights, city officials said.

Crews will continue to plow and sand the main arterials, the main connector streets, streets around the hospitals and schools and Madison Metro Bus Routes throughout the rest of the day and all evening.

The main routes have been sanding and plowed since the storm started early this morning, city officials said. Crews have been on the 30 main routes since 8 a.m. on Friday.

Normally, the city would not make mention of a light snowfall prediction, but officials are taking this opportunity to update residents on a few minor changes within in the city's Streets Department this upcoming winter season.

The salt routes have been updated; the plows, salters, sanders and anti-icing tanks are ready to roll; the supplies of salt, sand, salt brine and GeoMelt (beet juice) are in; the private contractors that are used to help city crews plow all 769 miles of city streets are ready to go and our operator training is continuing, officials said.

As for the changes, the city will be using an organic de-icer when temperatures fall below 15 degrees this winter that will help salt melt snow and ice when normally salt is ineffective.  This organic de-icer is a derivative of beet juice and will be blended with our salt brine when it is applied.