GOSHEN — Elkhart County Commissioners Monday voted to extend the current county burn ban permanently due to ongoing drought conditions and the mounting risk of widespread fire hazards.
The move puts to rest a series of extensions that have been made to the ban since ongoing drought conditions in the area forced County Board of Commissioners President Terry Rodino to sign an emergency countywide burn ban on June 15.
Since that time, the emergency burn ban has been extended three times, first on June 18, then on June 25, and most recently on June 29, which also included a countywide ban on nonpermitted fireworks through July 10.
With current weather projections indicating no respite from the heat and drought conditions for at least the next few weeks, the commissioners Monday voted to make the emergency burn ban permanent until such time as they determine it needs to be amended or terminated.
“There is no termination clause at this point,” Rodino said.
Even with the county’s emergency burn and fireworks bans in place, Rodino noted that there were still several reports of fireworks violations during the June 29-July 9 window, though he added that he feels the issuing of a fireworks ban did help cut down on use significantly.
“The fireworks still went on,” Rodino said, “but, in my opinion ... I think there were a lot less, especially in my neighborhood. The responsible people I think headed it, but you still had the rambunctious few that still wanted to do it no matter what. We got close to losing a house in Middlebury, and close to losing two homes in Goshen, so it’s still not safe to do it, and we’d still advise the public to please refrain.”
The current county fireworks ordinance prohibits the use of fireworks at all times outside of the June 29-July 9 window, with the exception of a short window of approved use on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.
However, Rodino noted that the commissioners are still discussing the possibility of allowing the use of fireworks during a specially designated week sometime later this summer when it has been determined that the burn ban is no longer necessary.
“If you look at your fireworks, there’s no expiration date anywhere on the package,” Rodino said, “so they can be used once we’ve determined what dates those will be.”
According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, 85 of the state’s 92 counties are currently reporting active countywide burn bans in place.
As it stands now, the county burn ban prohibits county residents from using campfires or other recreational fires unless enclosed. Burning will be allowed in burn barrels, however, but only those covered with a 1/4 inch mesh top and only from dusk to dawn. The ban also prohibits open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood or other combustible matter, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane.
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County commissioners, from left, Mike Yoder, Terry Rodino and Frank Lucchese recently discuss banning all private fireworks displays due to the ongoing drought. The commissioners on Monday, July 9, 2012, made a ban on all burning besides charcoal and gas grills permanent until weather conditions change. SAM HOUSEHOLDER | The Goshen News
UPDATE: Elkhart County imposes permanent burn ban
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