(La Porte County, IN) - No open burning is allowed in parts of southern La Porte County right now because of the drought like conditions.

 

The open burning ban for Cass and Clinton townships was ordered by Cass-Clinton Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner after fire chiefs statewide were given that option by the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.

 

Mitzner said the open burning ban is in effect until further notice.  He’s also asking people to take it seriously because of conditions he hasn’t seen this dry in about 20 years.

 

He said even flicking a lit cigarette butt from a moving vehicle could lead to a major farm field or brush fire.

 

Mitzner said farm fields are prone to catching fire due to tinder dry corn plants and soybeans dying prematurely before harvest from lack of rain.

 

“A 10 mile an hour wind would spread a field fire pretty very fast right now because of the dryness,” he said.

 

Mitzner also expressed concern about the potential for combine fires while the machines are harvesting corn and soybeans. 

 

He said a spark from a combine would be especially dangerous if it made contact with powder dry dust from corn and soybean plants created when taken into the machine. 

 

Mitzner said a combine operator would also be at risk if not able to jump or step off the machine before it quickly becomes engulfed in flames.

 

“That’s how dry it is,” he said.

 

The open burning ban could be imposed countywide from a measure expected to be considered tonight during the La Porte County Commissioners' meeting.