Local municipalities are asking residents to hold off on fireworks and open burning.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and Warsaw Fire Chief Mike Brubaker are requesting a voluntary ban of residents using fireworks in Warsaw.
The Kosciusko County Commissioners have issued a county-wide Disaster Emergency Proclamation to enact a burn ban from today through Tuesday, which includes the City of Warsaw.
Thallemer said he has spoken with Brubaker, and they are both in full support of the ban on any open burning.
While the use of personal fireworks is not banned, Brubaker and Thallemer ask the public to observe a voluntary ban on any and all personal fireworks as the result of the very high danger of fire.
“We are concerned that in the celebration of Independence Day over the next 10 days, our fire department could become dangerously overburdened,” Thallemer said. “Random property damage could result and personal safety could be compromised if our public safety services are stretched.”
Thallemer said he and Brubaker are asking residents to voluntarily refrain from the use of any personal fireworks during this period of the disaster emergency proclamation.
Brubaker also reminds the community that those responsible for property damage or personal injury could be held accountable for the cost of emergency services and insurance company liability.
Winona Lake Town Marshal Paul Schmitt has issued a similar response to the use fireworks.
“Due to the extreme drought conditions, we suggest no use of these items until the dry conditions improve and encourage private individuals to wait until the burn ban is lifted by the county commissioners,” Schmitt wrote in a press release.
Schmitt also said that Winona Lake Police Department officers will respond to reports of personal fireworks.
“Any violations of the state statues that pertain to the use of fireworks will be dealt with according to those laws,” Schmitt wrote.
In a telephone interview this morning, Tim Croy, Mentone Town Council president, said that under town ordinances, meteorological conditions allow the town to prohibit things such as open fires or fireworks that can produce sparks and cause fires.
Until further notice, within the Mentone town limits, “We are saying no fireworks and no open burning,” Croy said.
