Burn Ban Enacted in Southern Indiana County

Officials in Southern Indiana are starting to feel the heat. This area has been plagued by lack of rainfall for most of the summer. The moderate drought continues on and no relief is in site. At this time most of the area from Bloomington southward is in the severe drought region.

In response to the super dry conditions, the County Commissioners in Lawrence County issued a burn ban effective immediately. This places a restriction on nay type of open burning including campfires. A quick check of the police log shows the local volunteer fire departments in the county responded to 4 brush fires this weekend alone. One apparently started in the mulch outside a nursing home when someone discarded a cigarette into it.

To limit problems and to let the community know how serious this is, Lawrence County will immediately dispatch a sheriffs deputy with the fire department on each open burning call. The fire department will explain the burn ban and ask the property owner to extinguish the fire. If he does not comply the officer could choose to issue up to a $2500.00 fine and the fire department will extinguish the fire.

They want residents to realize how dangerous a situation this could be. Rainfall shortages in Lawrence County are 6 to 10 inches below where they should be now and the vegetation is extremely dry.

Officials have no timeline for the burn ban and it could continue on until the area receives a substantial amount of rain. They plan to start today, getting the word out so the public is well informed of the ban. They are releasing the information to local newspapers, radio stations, and websites.