Clay County announces week long burn ban

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)—The Clay County Board of Commissioners has decided to enact a burn ban due to the high rate of fires over the last week.

The news release states that this order was put in after the local fire departments were being dispatched to a large number of fires, reaching up to six in one afternoon over the last week. According to Rob Gambill, the Director of Clay County Emergency Management, most of the fires have happened due to loss of control after burning dead vegetation and brush combined with high winds. 10 of the 11 townships of Clay County have volunteer fire departments that they rely on, and it’s a common occurrence for them to be under-staffed.

The exact specifics of the burn ban are as follows:

We also declare that, effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in Clay County:

1. Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring, with dimensions of 23
   inches in diameter X 10 inches high or larger;
2. 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;
3. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including such debris that results from
   building construction activities; and
   Burning will be allowed in burn barrels with a 1/4″ mesh top from dawn to dusk only.
   Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has
   been thoroughly extinguished.
   In addition, we discourage the use of all personal fireworks.

The ban is currently in place 24 hours a day for the next week or until it is rescinded. Any individual in violation of this order will be fined $300. The commissioners are anticipating that the ban will be rescinded after they receive the forecast for Friday night and Saturday morning.