Due to extremely dry conditions, the Evansville Environmental Protection Agency (EEPA), in coordination with the Evansville Fire Department and the Suburban Firefighters Association,
has issued an Open Burn Ban for the jurisdictional area of the City of Evansville. The Vanderburgh County Commissioners have issued a Burn Ban for Vanderburgh County.
The Open Burn Ban will continue until conditions improve. As of the date of this notice, 35 counties in Indiana are under a burn ban. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security maintains a statewide county status of burn bans which may be found at: http://www.in.gov/dhs/files/burn-ban/. The EEPA will notify the public when the ban has been lifted. All forms of Open Burning are prohibited, including, but not limited to:
v Recreational, ceremonial, or camp fires;
v Burn Barrels (county residents only; a reminder that these are never to be used for trash);
v Agricultural and ditch clearing;
v Prescribed burns;
v Previously approved Open Burn Variances; and
v Previously approved Air Curtain Incinerator Permits.
This ban does not include charcoal or gas grills for cooking, or outdoor fireplaces incorporated in a structure such as a shelter house (with a chimney). Any exceptions to the Open Burn Ban must be approved in advance, in writing, by the Director of the EEPA, Chief Jarboe of the City of Evansville Fire Department, or Chief Kahre of Scott Township Fire Department.
If the EEPA had previously approved an Open Burn Variance or Air Curtain Incinerator
Permit, upon request, the Variance or Permit may be extended for an additional two weeks after
the ban has been lifted. For Open Burn Variances or Air Curtain Incinerator Permits issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), please contact that department.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Evansville EPA at (812) 435-6145.
