LAWRENCE CO. – The Lawrence County commissioners have issued a burn ban for all of Lawrence County.
The county is immediately threatened by specifically county-wide drought conditions, and the commissioners find the risk of widespread fire hazards because of the ongoing drought conditions.
A county-wide burn ban affecting certain activities is an appropriate public safety response to the fire hazards presented by the current drought conditions;
The Lawrence County Commissioners declare pursuant to Lawrence County Emergency Management Ordinance 93-10 and Commissioners minutes dated March 19, 1996, give the authority to the Lawrence County Sheriff and the Lawrence County Fire Chiefs to declare, end, and enforce a burn ban in Lawrence County for the protection of lives and property.
There are two burn ban levels that may be activated:
Activated: Level 1:
- Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter X 10 inches high or larger;
- 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; the burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including such debris that results from building construction activities; and
- Burning will be allowed with a ¼” mesh top from dawn to dusk only.
- Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.
Level 2:
- No open burning of any kind.
In addition, the commissioners strongly encourage residents to attend public displays of fireworks limit their personal use of fireworks to those who do not leave the ground, and refrain from using aerial fireworks devices.
Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws statutes, ordinances, and resolutions and particularly
to Section 10-14-3-29 of the Indiana Code.
Anyone issued a civil citation in violation of the burn ban will be fined $2,500 per occurrence. (as is outlined in Lawrence County Ordinance 93-10 Section 4 Sub-Section K Part 2) Any and all fines collected will be deposited in the newly formed Lawrence County Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund.
All public offices and employees of Lawrence County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state or local.
All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
All operating forces will direct their communications and requests for assistance Emergency Management Agency which works in tandem with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
