Update: Several Southern Indiana Counties Issue Emergency Burn Ban

Despite the stifling humidity, it has been a hot minute since we have seen any rain in the Evansville area and that has resulted in some rather dry conditions.

'Open Burn Emergency' Issued for Vanderburgh County

Conditions are so dry, in fact, that the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners has declared an "Open Burn Emergency" for the Southern Indiana county.

Indiana Code Cited for Burn Ban

In a post to Facebook, the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County cite Indiana Code 10-14-3-29 and Chapter 8.12 of the Vanderburgh County Code of Ordinances to declare the open burn emergency.

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In Effect for All Unincorporated Areas of Vanderburgh County

In the post online, they say that the emergency order will be in effect for "all unincorporated areas of Vanderburgh County." The order will stand in place 24 hours a day effective immediately.

UPDATE: Evansville Declares Open Burn Emergency

In addition to the Open Burn Emergency declared by Vanderburgh County officials for the unincorporated portions of the county, the City of Evansville has implemented its own Open Burn Emergency, according the Evansville Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency.

In a post to Facebook from the Evansville Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency, additional surrounding counties have also issued burn bans including: Gibson, Warrick, and Posey Counties.

Fines for Violators of the Order

The ban prohibits the setting, starting, or attempting to set, or allowing to continue an open fire in Vanderburgh County. The only exception is if a person has first obtained and possesses a written permit "from the commanding office of the fire department having primary jurisdiction over the area where the open fire is to be conducted."

Violating this declaration can result in a $500 fine if found guilty and convicted.

[SOURCE: Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office Via Facebook; Evansville Vanderburgh County EMS via Facebook]