DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. — Burn bans are in effect in parts of Indiana and Kentucky as high temperatures and dry conditions persist.
In Indiana, Dearborn County's Board of Commissioners announced that a burn ban will stay in effect due to the continued lack of rainfall and high temperatures. In a press release, the board said these conditions have dried vegetation to the point it may easily combust and become a fire hazard.
The ban prohibits the following:
- Campfires and other forms of recreation fire, unless they are enclosed in a fire ring measuring at least 23 inches in diameter and 10 inches in height
- Open burning of any kind using wood or any other combustible matter with the exception of cooking grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane gas
- Open burning of any kind of debris with the exception of burning barrels with a 1/4 inch mesh top permitted from dawn to dusk only
- The usage of consumer fireworks
According to the press release, anyone who violates the ban is subject to a fine between $200 and $1,000, not including court costs.
WATCH: We spoke with a local fire chief about what residents need to do
Lawrenceburg Fire Chief Johnnie Tremain spoke about what the biggest concern is for first responders.
“The biggest thing is field fires, you know, something that’s uncut, that’s where we get into problems," Tremain said.
This burn ban is not expected to be lifted in the immediate future, unless weather patterns change, according to the Lawrenceburg Fire Chief.
“Unless we get some rain soon, I'd say at least a couple weeks to a month," Tremain said.
The lack of humidity is also affecting local plants. We went out and met with Stephanie Renaker-Jansen, who co-owns Reminiscent Herb Farm, Nursery & Landscaping in Boone County, Kentucky.
“I’ve been outside doing this for 40 years, and this is, this is very unusual," Renaker-Jansen said.
The owner and her team have been working hard to keep all their plants watered, to avoid withering in the dry heat.
"It's almost as bad as 100-degree temperatures," Renaker-Jansen said.
The local nursery owner informed us about the steps plant owners need to take and the types of foliage that require extra care due to the current weather patterns.
“If it’s flowering, and it’s an annual or a perennial, you need to water it, no matter how long it’s been in the ground. But if it’s in a container, you need to keep a special eye out on it, or newly planted," Renaker-Jansen said.
You can track the current drought conditions in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky online.
Franklin County, Switzerland County and Union County in Indiana also have their own burn bans in effect, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Bracken County and Mason County have active burn bans in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
There are no active burn bans in Ohio. Check the latest weather conditions in the Tri-State area here.
