Press Release

WARSAW — Kosciusko County is now under a burn ban.

The burn ban is effective as of noon Wednesday, Sept. 18. Kosciusko County is experiencing county-wide drought conditions and the Kosciusko County Fireman’s Association has requested the establishment of a burn ban.

“A county-wide burn ban affecting certain activities is an appropriate public safety response to the fire hazards presented by the current drought conditions,” reads a statement from the Kosciusko County Commissioners and Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency.

Effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in Kosciusko County:

• campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter and 10 inches high or larger, and;
• burning in burn barrels, unless the barrel is equipped with a one-fourth inch mesh top from dawn to dusk only, and;
• open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane. Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished, and;
• the burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including such debris that results from building construction activities, and;
• use of personal fireworks, with the exception of organized permitted fireworks displays when the local fire department is on site.

All public offices and employees of Kosciusko County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state and local.

All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

This disaster emergency proclamation shall be in effect for up to 30 days or until rescinded.