Burn Ban Issued for Washington County

Around 11:30 am on Thursday, September 11, the Washington County Emergency Management Agency announced that the Washington County Commissioners have issued a proclamation for a county-wide burn ban.

"Washington County, Indiana is immediately threatened by a natural disaster-specifically county wide drought condition," the proclamation reads. "a state of emergency exists in the County and that we hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which are applicable to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this proclamation, to be in full force and effect in the County for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for protection of the lives and property of the people of Washington County."

According to the Commissioners, the following is prohibited until further notice:

1. Campfires and other recreational fires, unless they are enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter X 10 inches high or larger; in a cleared area.

2. 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. Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.

   
   

3. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, results from building construction activities.

   
   

In addition, residents are strongly encouraged to limit their personal use of fireworks to those that do not leave the ground, and to refrain from using aerial firework devices.

"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 operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers," the proclamation concludes. "This Disaster Emergency Proclamation shall be in effect until September 19, 2025. At that time the Washington County Board of Commissioners shall revisit the emergency to decide if the need for extension of the emergency proclamation is necessary."