VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With the weather throughout the Wabash Valley being incredibly dry, several counties throughout the area have announced burn bans while NOAA has issued several alerts and warnings for most counties throughout the state.
A release from the Vigo County Emergency Management Deputy Director Troy Ramsey announced that Vigo County’s burn ban has been extended due to continued hazardous weather conditions.
“The Vigo County Commissioners have extended the burn ban until noon November 21st 2023. This is due to extremely dry conditions and an elevated risk of widespread fire hazards,” Ramsey said.
Wednesday, officials in Clay County also extended their burn ban for another week.
Several counties across Indiana and Illinois are working to prevent fires by announcing burn bans. The following counties have burn bans in effect:
- Indiana:
- Vigo County
- Sullivan County
- Clay County
- Owen County
- Vermillion County
- Martin County
- Daviess County
- Monroe County
- Knox County
- Parke County
- Illinois:
- Jasper County
- Richland County
- Crawford County
- Lawrence County
- Cumberland County
- Clay County
The official burn ban notice from Vigo County Commissioners notes the specifics of avoiding burning and lists the details:
“We also declare that, effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in Vigo County:
- Campfires and other recreational fires;
- 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
- The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.
Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.”
The Greene County Board of Commissioners also provided a release announcing a burn ban has been put in place until further notice. The release reads, “This means until further notice open burning is to be immediately discontinued including but not limited, to the burning of trash or brush. Violations of this order may bring legal penalties.”
President of the Greene County Board of Commissioners Nathan Abrams noted the danger of the situation.
“As dry as it is, the situation is dangerous and we must do something to protect the citizens of the county. We may have to extend the ban if current conditions continue,” Abrams said.
The National Weather Service also has several Indiana counties listed under a special weather alert. The alert is for “Enhanced Fire Danger” and provides additional details and advice on how to comply with enhanced fire danger conditions.
Enhanced Fire Danger this Afternoon — The combination of a very dry atmosphere and low fuel moisture will result in an enhanced fire danger this afternoon. Consider burning on a different day. Be sure campfires are completely extinguished and always properly dispose of flammable items.
National Weather Service
