(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Fire Department is reminding people burning leaves is still prohibited in the city despite the recent lifting of a countywide open burning ban.

 

Fire Chief Andy Snyder said some people were under the impression leaves were allowed to be burned in the city but that was never the case.  The ban, in response to drought like conditions, was for unincorporated areas of the county.

 

After the ban was lifted last week, firefighters in the city were called to burning piles of leaves several times a day.  No fines were issued but firefighters extinguished the burning leaf piles.

 

Snyder said the calls have tapered off since the recent rainfall but calls could pick up again once the rain stops.

 

“I just need to stress to city residents that even prior to the burn ban being put into place that leaf burning as well as other burning material is not allowed.  It’s against city ordinance,” he said.

 

Snyder said the only open burning allowed in the city are fires in a container with steel type grading over the top of them with a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby.

 

He said residents should continue to rely on the city to pick up their leaves, a process that is still ongoing.