(SHOALS) – Martin County is the latest county to join more than 22 other counties in issuing a burn ban.
Effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited:
- No campfires or recreational fires unless they are enclosed in a fire ring.
- No open burning of any kind with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane
- No burning of debris such as timber or vegetation
- No use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.
Anyone violating this proclamation could be cited and fined or subject to criminal charges should a fire result in personal or property damage.
In Lawrence County, the Marion Township and Shawswick Fire Departments were dispatched to a woods fire on Lawrenceport Road Tuesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. and the Pleasant Run Fire Department was dispatched to an illegal burn later that night.
WLKY -TV in Louisville is also reporting a brush fire near Henryville, Indiana is now under control.
According to Tri-Township Fire Protection District Chief Amir Mousavi, the fire started on a farm Wednesday and spread quickly. It burned a few acres in seconds.
“It spread quickly due to dry conditions and heavy winds in the area today,” Mousavi added.
Several fire departments were summoned to assist because the fire was spreading so quickly and the high temperatures were taking a toll on firefighters battling the blaze.
One firefighter was injured battling the blaze.
In Southern Indiana, more 22 counties have enacted burn bans. The weather forecast calls for rain on Sunday for most of Southern Indiana, however, it is not known yet whether it will be enough to lift the burn bans.
For more information contact your local fire department.
