Columbus, IN – At the request of the county fire chiefs, the Bartholomew County Commissioners signed a Countywide Burn Ban this morning.  The ban is effective immediately and will remain in place through Sunday, September 22nd.

Due to moderate drought conditions, and lack of rain in the forecast, it is anticipated the ban will be extended on Monday, September 23rd.  We will update at that time.

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

1. campfires and other recreational fires;
2. 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;
3. the burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including such debris that results from building construction activities; and
4. the use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.

Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished