(Franklin County, IN) – Franklin County Commissioners have issued another countywide burn ban due to drought conditions.
The burn ban is effective immediately and is in effect until further notice.
You’ll recall it was a little over a week ago that the burn ban put in place on September 12 was lifted because of significant rainfall.
But since then, it’s been dry and conditions have become unsafe.
The decision to issue the latest order was made following recommendations from fire chiefs around the county and data from the National Weather Service and U.S. Drought Monitor.
The latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of Southeastern Indiana is in a moderate drought.
According to commissioners’ directive, the following activities are prohibited in Franklin County while the burn ban in place:
- Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring measuring at least 23 inches in diameter and 10 inches or more in height.
- 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.
Burning will be allowed in burn barrels with a 1/4″ 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.
Officials say these measures help reduce the risk of wildfires and keep communities safe.
