(La Porte County, IN) - An open burning ban is in effect for parts of La Porte County.

The ban is for Cass, Clinton, Dewey and Noble Townships along with LaCrosse and Westville.

Cass-Clinton Township Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner said there’s been less than an inch of rain in those southern areas of the county over the past 30 days or so.

Mitzner said the ban is in effect until further notice as a precaution to prevent brush fires.

“It’s going to take quite a little rain to be able take this ban off,” he said.

Mitzner said he and a few other fire chiefs from that area exercised their authority to impose the ban, which could result in a maximum $500 fine for any violators.

Mitzner said another reason for the decision was to prevent a wheat field during the ongoing harvest from catching fire.