Wayne County has joined surrounding counties in issuing a burn ban because of continued dry conditions.
The ban took effect at noon Sept. 19 after the Wayne County Firefighter’s Association and the county’s fire chiefs requested a ban. During their Sept. 18 meeting, Wayne County’s commissioners approved implementing a ban if requested by the fire chiefs.
The emergency ban will be reviewed every seven days and can be extended until conditions improve, according to a Wayne County Emergency Management Agency news release. Henry, Fayette, Union, Randolph and Franklin counties had previously issued countywide burn bans.
Grilling with charcoal or propane is still permitted during the ban; however, the ban prohibits:
- campfires, recreational fires and ceremonial fires;
- open burning of any kind using wood or other combustible matter;
- burning of debris, timber or vegetation;
- use of burn barrels for any open burning at residences;
- discarding matches, ashes or other burning materials from a vehicle; and
- use or discharge of any aerial firework devices.
Local fire chiefs and city, town or county legislative bodies can ban burning.
As of noon Sept. 19, 59 of Indiana’s 92 counties have banned burning until conditions improve.