Burn bans pile up in hot, dry weather

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - No rain. Heat. A nice breeze. That, fire officials warned, is the perfect recipe for a fire. That’s why some Indiana counties have put burn bans in place.

Thursday, Boone County issued a voluntary burn ban. And there are eight other counties around the state (Wabash, Carroll, Grand, Knox, LaGrange, Steuben, St. Joseph, Noble and Marshall) that have issued mandatory bans. See current bans on the state’s website here .

Officials warn that even though some grassy areas may look green, the under-brush is very dry.

Most of the burn bans are in the northern part of the state, but they may start moving this way.

"Its just volatile. Everything is just so volatile. And fire spreads so quick," said Lebanon Fire Chief Jason Lee.

Field fires can quickly create other dangers, too.

"It's a big risk for the firefighters, said Mike Martin, deputy director of Boone County Emergency Management Agency. “You're out there trying to do it, and … of course when you see red lights people don't slow down, so they come through the smoke and they're on top of you. So you have to shut lanes down. So it makes it very dangerous."

Martin held a meeting with the fire chiefs in his county and decided on a voluntary burn ban.

"We want you to think before you do any burning or any type of stuff like that," he said.

Boone County has had three grass fires in 15 days. Hamiliton County has had seven fires in 30 days. While Boone County has a voluntary burn ban in effect. Hamiliton County is still on alert, but hasn't made a decision.

When a county does issue a burn ban it becomes illegal to have an open flame.

"A burn ban means you can't burn at all by state statue, which comes with fines and can be criminal," Martin said.

Hamiliton County, for example, fines up to $500 for burning during a burn ban.

Martin said if the open flame becomes a working fire, fire departments can make the person responsible cover their costs.

"Last year we had a burn ban, and we did issue one citation. We had over 14 fire departments there fighting that fire," Martin said.

The Fourth of July is looming, and all county officials are on high alert. Fishers’ fire chief said the town's yearly Freedom Celebration could be without a fireworks display if we don't get rain soon.

Martin said the same thing about their annual fireworks display in Boone County.