Effective today, Monday, Oct. 21, Carroll County has been placed under a county-wide burn ban until further notice due to dry conditions and increased fire risk due to the lack of rain over the past few months.
The County stated that prohibited activities include open burning, such as trash, brush, leaves and more, campfires, bonfires and fire pits and burning in barrels or containers.
Permitted activities, with caution, include using a propane or gas grill that is attended at all times and outdoor cooking stoves designed to prevent flame spread.
Violations of the ban could result in fines, and community members witnessing unauthorized burning have been instructed to report it to local authorities immediately.
According to previous reports and the official issuance of the burn ban filed in September that was later lifted, “The Board of Commissioners finds there is a hazard of fire currently throughout Carroll County due to extremely dry weather, and that such hazard constitutes a threat to public safety.” Due to the findings, the Commissioners found it necessary in the interest of pubic safety to ban open burning and related activities pursuant to Carroll County Code 130.03.
The order stated that it shall be executed in unincorporated areas by the Sheriff of Carroll County upon citation of the order, and law enforcement officers of other jurisdictions in Carroll County may issue citations for the violations as well.
Citations for violation may be issued using and modifying the form of uniform complaint and summons provided in Indiana Code 9-30-3-6 or other form of citation approved by the Commissioners. The complaint and summons orders the appearance of the respondent before the Commissioners at a date and time during a regular session of the Board’s meetings within 30 days of the issuance. The citation will be filed in the office of the Auditor.
