Boone County — Boone County’s emergency order banning most opening burning has been lifted.
The ban had been imposed on June 27 by the Boone County Commissioners, after the Boone County Fire Chief’s Association recommended the action because of an extended drought.
Recent rainfall has reduced but not eliminated the danger that outside fires could grow out of control. In the first two weeks of August, 3.25 inches of rain was measured at the Lebanon Wastewater Treatment Plant. Still, the total rainfall measured there this year is only 16.4 inches, less than 40 percent of the site’s 30-year annual average as measured by the Indiana State Climate Office.
The ban was officially lifted at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
“The public is strongly encouraged to use open flame with caution in order to protect persons and property,” said Chuck Ritz, a spokesman for the Boone County Emergency Management Agency.
As of last week, Boone County was categorized as in “extreme” drought, the fourth of five levels ranked from least to most severe.
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
