OOLITIC—The Town of Oolitic has officially declared a total ban on all outdoor open burning, effective immediately, due to persistent drought conditions and a lack of forecasted rainfall.
The decision was jointly made by the Oolitic Fire Chief and the Oolitic Town Council to mitigate the high risk of fire hazards caused by the current dry weather. The burn ban will remain in effect “until further notice.”
The ban is supported and will be enforced under Ordinance 93.65 of the Town Code. The authority to issue the ban is outlined in Section 307.1.1 of the 2014 Indiana Fire Code, which allows the Town Council or Fire Chief to declare a ban when open burning constitutes a hazardous and high-risk condition.
What the Burn Ban Dictates
The declaration establishes strict limitations on the use of fire within the town’s jurisdiction. The ban dictates the following:
- No Open Burning of Any Kind: This includes—but is not limited to—the burning of leaves, grass, wood, brush, waste oil, tires, paper, trash, furniture, garbage, or other types of refuse on both private and public property.
- No Campfires or Recreational Fires: All campfires and recreational fires are prohibited.
- Fireworks Restricted: Fireworks are limited to public displays only and must be explicitly approved by the Fire Chief or their designee.
- Ash Storage Requirements: Ashes from woodstoves and fireplaces must be stored in an appropriate container to prevent hot coals or embers from reigniting and causing a fire.
- Grill Use Limited: Only gas and charcoal grills are permitted for use. Significantly, charcoals must be fully submerged and verified to be incapable of producing fire before disposal.
Enforcement and Penalties
Enforcement and penalties for violating the burn ban are outlined in Chapter 93, Section 99, of the Town Code.
Any individual violating the terms of the ban faces a fine of not less than $25 nor in excess of $250 for each offense, in addition to the costs and expenses of the violation, including court costs and attorney’s fees. Furthermore, each day the violation continues will be considered a separate offense.
Residents are urged to cooperate with the ban to protect the community from fire risk.
To report any violations, please get in touch with the Oolitic Town Hall at 812-275-6813.
Questions or issues related to this order should be directed to the Oolitic Fire Chief or the Oolitic Town Council.
