TERRE HAUTE —
What spreads faster than a fire in hot, dry and windy conditions? The banning of fireworks by local governments across Indiana in those same dangerous conditions.
On Friday, Evansville in the south and Allen County in the north joined the growing list of local governments in Indiana prohibiting fireworks because of extremely hot and dry conditions across the state. Tippecanoe, Miami, Hamilton and Steuben counties have also temporarily banned fireworks, along with the city of Kokomo.
In Vigo County, authorities on Friday stepped right to the edge of declaring a ban on private fireworks this Fourth of July season. The Vigo County Commissioners issued a renewed seven-day burn ban that “strongly encouraged” residents to attend public fireworks shows only and avoid using personal fireworks.
Many Indiana communities have been reluctant to ban fireworks despite the dry conditions out of concern for language in Indiana law that seems to prohibit local governments from restricting fireworks use from June 29 to July 9.
However, late Friday, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Fire Marshal issued a statement of “guidance on Indiana fireworks laws” that apparently gives a green light to local bans during the current “emergency” weather conditions.
State authorities said local governments can rely on “home rule authority” and “local disaster emergency authority” to legally “restrict locations fireworks can be used.”
“Jurisdictions can limit use to certain areas of their communities and prohibit use in other areas in the interest of public safety,” the state agencies said.
In another move that may prompt even more communities to temporarily ban the use of fireworks, the Indiana Fireworks Dealers Association said in a news conference Friday it would not battle local fireworks restrictions in court. The association told The Indianapolis Star earlier in the week it might attempt to halt the bans by seeking injunctions.
In Vigo County, at least two large private fireworks shows, one by the Agape Christian Church and another by the Country Club of Terre Haute, have been postponed for safety reasons, said Dorene Hojnicki, director of the Vigo County Emergency Management Agency.
The City of Terre Haute Fireworks Show set for July 4 at dusk in Fairbanks Park remains scheduled to take place.
This morning, Vigo County fire chiefs are scheduled to conduct a news conference at the Honey Creek Fire Department station on Carlisle Street. The chiefs were expected to ask residents to voluntarily refrain from using fireworks and to take other precautions to avoid fires in the current dry conditions.
Even a cigarette tossed from a car can cause a large fire, diverting firefighting resources for hours, said Josh Sittler, a battalion chief for the Honey Creek Fire Department.
Jim Stanfill, who runs large, professional fireworks displays for Aerial Arts Fireworks of Brazil, said Friday he would understand if local fire chiefs asked that even professional shows be postponed.
“If it’s not safe, I don’t want to put my team in danger” or property in danger, Stanfill said, adding that in 26 years in the business, he has had shows rained out, but never has drought been a problem this time of year.
Currently, county burn bans cover nearly all of Indiana. Only a few counties in the southeast or near Chicago have not issued bans. Many have included fireworks bans as well.
“Everybody wants to celebrate the time,” Hojnicki said Friday. “We want people to have a good time. But we’ve just got to balance what is safe for everyone.” Even a small firework can ignite a fire that could soon grow out of control, she said.
“We’re really trying to encourage the residents to voluntarily refrain from using fireworks,” Hojnicki said. “You cannot be sure where fireworks are going to end up. If you have a more densely populated area, it may not take much for it to really escalate to something you cannot control.”
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@
tribstar.com.
Burn Bans
• Vigo County
• Vermillion County
• Sullivan
County
• Clay County
• Owen County
• Knox County
• Greene
County (local areas)
• Marshall Fire Protection District in Clark County, Illinois
For more information: www.in.gov/dhs/files/burn-ban
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