Will burn bans nix Fourth fireworks?

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - Because of continued dry conditions, 18 counties have issued a burn ban, and other counties continue to monitor the weather on a daily basis.

• CHECK CURRENT BANS | State website tracks burn bans

Fire officials said conditions that we're seeing right now in June usually don't happen until much later in the summer.

The problem now is that these drought-like conditions don't mix well with fireworks, and we're just weeks away from the Fourth of July.

“Normal conditions, we see a lot of silliness with fireworks, unsafe behavior. Whether there is a burn ban or not, fireworks, you always got to be safe with those,” said Capt. Ron Lipps with the Fishers Fire Department. “Every year we almost can count on someone throwing hot fireworks in trash, and we get to go out and put out their trash can.”

Even in counties with no burn bans in place yet, the Department of Homeland Security put out a warning asking people not to set off fireworks, but if they choose to, be careful.

“We can't be at everybody's backyard display,” Lipps said, “and if things go wrong there and people aren't prepared or operating safely, we could have a little bit of a problem.”

He said as of now, the Fishers Freedom Festival, set for June 23 and 24, will still include the traditional fireworks display, but if conditions get worse, that could change.

“We'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully, we don't get to that point,” Lipps said.

If Hamilton County does issues a burn ban, thought, stopping everybody from setting off fireworks is nearly impossible, Lipps admitted.

“We rely on people voluntarily following a burn ban in the first place, or, even better, being proactive before we even get to the burn ban. Be safe now, before we have to get to that point,” he said.

He advises area residents that if they do set off fireworks or use an open fire any time soon, the ashes or used fireworks should be put in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours.

If a burn ban is issued in Hamilton County, residents who disregard it could face up to a $500 fine if found using an open flame or setting off fireworks.