VERSAILLES—A decision just made by the county commissioners in one southeastern Indiana county may be a sign of what's to come elsewhere.
In Ripley County, about 75-miles southeast of Indianapolis, lack of rain has forced a county-wide burn ban. County commissioners issued the ban because of ongoing drought conditions.
While much of Indiana, including the Indianapolis area, has experienced above-average rainfall for the entire year, the month of September has been another story.
A state of emergency exists in Ripley County, according to the commissioners. Here's what can't be done there for the time being.
- No campfires and other recreational fires.
- No open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane.
- The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including such debris that results from building construction activities.
- The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.
Ripley County is also discouraging the use of fireworks, except those used at organized public displays.
