Disaster Emergency declared in Marion County

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. (WISH) - Mayor Greg Ballard has issued a local disaster emergency declaration for Indianapolis and Marion County due to the drought and severe fire threat.

The order bans the use of personal fireworks displays.

It does not apply to professional fireworks displays licensed by the State of Indiana.

Fireworks dealers are hot. Those we talked to say it threatens their business and violates state law which allows citizens to shoot fireworks June 29 through July 9.

Tiffany Hatfield says this ban could determine whether or not her business, Patriotic Fireworks, stays open.

“We’ve been in business in Indianapolis 29 years,” Hatfield said. “Hopefully we make it to 30."

At this point are sales are down we were doing good until this last week.”

Chief Brian Sanford with the Indianapolis Fire Department says the mayor’s order trumps state law.

“It follows a different part of the Indiana code which allows for a ban of anything that can contribute to that. Certainly, Fireworks can contribute to the danger in this extreme drought,” Sanford said.  

The disaster declaration and fireworks ban takes effect immediately and lasts for 7 days.

Mayor Ballard may rescind or extend the ban should weather and drought conditions improve.