What Indiana Counties Are Under a Burn Ban?

Did you know that Indiana has a handy up-to-date map that will tell you which counties are currently under a burn ban?

Many folks in Indiana have recently experienced a nice week of what I like to call "False Fall," which was a period of cooler, fall-like temperatures. Then, the heat returned with many areas seeing temperatures in the 90s. However, what a lot of Hoosiers haven't experienced in a while is rain. That lack of rain has caused the grass and ground to dry out, and any leaves that have already fallen off trees are becoming extremely dry and highly flammable if ignited. In order to prevent either of those things from catching fire and destroying property, several counties throughout the state have issued burn bans.

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What is a Burn Ban?

According to The Indiana Department of Homeland Security:

A burn ban is a restriction set by county officials that limits or prohibits open burning, campfires, or the use of fireworks. These measures help reduce the risk of wildfires and keep communities safe.

This means no open bonfires, or even starting a fire in a fire pit if you have one. It also means no burning sticks in a burn barrel. These burn bans can be ordered by any local fire chief for their jurisdiction, or they can be issued by the legislative body of a city, town, or county.

What is the Penalty of Violating a Burn Ban in Indiana?

The fine for violating a burn ban in Indiana actually depends on the county. Scouring the internet to see the range of fines for Indiana counties, it looks like if you violate a burn ban, you could be hit with potential fines as low as $50 or as high as $2,500, depending on the county you live in. So, it's best to just abide by the law and avoid open burning during a burn ban.

How Do You Know If There's a Burn Ban in Your County in Indiana?

When the weather calls for it, your county will issue a burn ban. You'll often see posts on social media or hear it on the news. However, you might not know after it's issued if your county is still under a burn ban. That being said, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security has a really handy, interactive map that tells you which counties are currently under a burn ban. Burn ban status information is provided by each county's emergency management agency. As counties notify the state, the map updates with that information. As of this writing, there are nine Indiana counties under a burn ban currently, according to the Burn Ban Map.

It's a feature that I didn't know existed, but I'm glad that I do now. Especially if you plan on traveling to do some camping or even if you just want to have a bonfire at home one weekend, if you have noticed that it's been awfully dry and has gone an extended period without rain, this map is helpful. You should definitely save the link for it. The Indiana Burn Ban Map can be accessed by clicking here.