IFD issues burn ban for Marion County - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Fire Department has issued a burn ban for Marion County.

"A significant fire hazard remains in all areas subject to this order due to persistently dry environmental conditions and the absence of significant rainfall in the weather forecast," IFD Chief Brian Sanford wrote in a release. "The risk of fire constitutes a hazardous condition requiring heightened vigilance and caution."

The ban prohibits open burning in all cities, towns and townships in Marion County. The fire department clarified Tuesday afternoon that the ban did not affect certain areas of the county, but Mayor Greg Ballard extended the ban to the whole county later Tuesday night.

"This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, any open burning, comfort fires, camp fires, agricultural burning or similar legal fires. This prohibition does not apply to outdoor grilling or fireworks, although extreme caution should be used in such situations," Sanford wrote.

"The danger is, when you have fires with dry grass is, that they can spread, get into buildings, houses and so forth. So those are the dangers and when you get further out in Marion County, you get those rural areas, crops that are dry and you can have large field fires," said Indiana Fire Marshal Fred Pervine.

State law protects fireworks and experts hope you will go to designated areas to watch the displays and take precaution at your home.

"If you do have fireworks and want to do fireworks, I strongly suggest that you wet down grass, wet down the areas where you have fireworks, make sure you have an adult there, water supply, that's critical. Those are the things that we have to watch out for," Pervine said.

Residents like Steven Lovell, though, know what can happen when you mix fireworks and these dry conditions.

"I heard a real big pop," recalled Lovell of the noise he heard outside his east side home on Graham Avenue Wednesday afternoon.

When Lovell looked outside, his yard was on fire from a stray firework.

"By the time I got my shoes on and come out, it had spread," said Lovell. "It was getting close to the house and I didn't have a hose out there."

After fire crews put it out, blackened grass behind Lovell's house showed the path the fire could have taken right to his home.

"I don't know who would put off fireworks in the middle of the city when there's that burn ban thing going on," said neighbor Haile Burris.

Burris and Lovell were both surprised to find out burn bans did not cover fireworks.

"No campfires. No bonfires. The only thing that's probably going to be acceptable, will be acceptable, is fireworks and grills," said Pervine.

Not following the burn ban in Indianapolis could cost you $2,500. In Hamilton County, first-time offenders are warned, a second offense costs $500. In Hendricks County, the fine is up to the fire department to set. Boone County, which is currently under only a voluntary burn ban, doesn't have fines.

Dispatchers expect to get more calls from people reporting their neighbors for burning when they shouldn't.

"The best thing to do is ask a neighbor to put out a campfire. If they don't, then we have code enforcement cars that will go out and respond to those situations," said Pervine.

You can't ask your neighbor, though, to stop using fireworks.

Lovell thinks he has a better idea.

"Just go see a show or something," he said.

The ban will remain in place until the fire department determines conditions are no longer hazardous for open burning. Those who violate the ban could face fines and other penalties.

Seventy-two of Indiana's 92 counties are currently under a burn ban.