The Starke County Commissioners, with recommendations from the Emergency Management Agency and local fire departments, have issued a burn ban for Starke County effective immediately.
Due to prolonged dry conditions, there is an elevated risk for fires to spread quickly and become out of control. Starke County has already experienced a couple field fires recently, and the threat is expected to elevate in the the coming days and weeks.
The order declares that, effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in Starke County:
-Campfire and any other form or recreational fire unless said fires are enclosed in a fire ring measuring at least 23 inches in diameter and 10 inches or more in height and personally and directly attended to.
-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. Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from a grill until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.
-Open burning of any kind of debris, such as timber, vegetation, building constructions waste or otherwise.
This burn ban may be enforced by any sworn law officer, when available.
The provision of this burn ban shall supersede any municipal ordinance to the contrary while it is in effect.
If conditions improve due to significant rainfall, the Starke County Commissioners will rescind the burn ban and again permit the above activities.
To report a violation of the burn ban, please contact the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at 574-772-3771.
