Burn Bans and Fireworks

[Dark Knight]

A number of firework dealers are telling people, both in person and via social media such as Facebook, that a county cannot ban private firework displays from June 29 through July 9. They say only Governor Daniels has that authority, and it has to be a statewide ban. Is this true, and if so, why has it not been reported? And if it isn't, are the firework dealers encouraging illegal activity via falsehoods?

For those with Facebook, USA Fireworks is one of the ones spreading the word that private displays cannot be banned by county officials:

https://www.facebook.com/usafireworks63

[james_t]

It sounds like, at this point, the law is unclear.

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana...-fireworks-dbl

[TLC528]

Lighting fireworks in our current drought condition is dangerous. Why do we need clarification on a law, why does it need be debated? At some point common sense and responsibility should prevail.

[Dark Knight]

Yes it should prevail, but it seldom does, so the law needs to be clarified so enforcement can either be done or not done.

[FreeWorldOrder]

I agree with you. COMMON SENSE!!

[HoosierHelen]

Lighting fireworks in our current drought condition is dangerous. Why do we need clarification on a law, why does it need be debated? At some point common sense and responsibility should prevail.

AGREED! How on earth anyone could consider it to be responsible citizenship to shoot off private fireworks in NE Indiana at this time escapes my comprehension? LIABILITY ANYONE? Should your private fireworks start a grass fire that may spark fires on your neighbors land, homes, vehicles, etc you will be responsible. Please also consider the possibility of death for those who are unable to escape an area engulfed in flames due to fireworks.

I love to watch beautiful fireworks as much as anyone, however, this year does not appear to me to be a year that I wish to be dazzled by anyone's firework displays. Do we need clarification of laws to explain common sense to us? Perhaps...however, I hope not. I do believe the majority of us care for the health, safety, and well being of ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our surrounding environments. We celebrate our freedoms given to us on the 4th of July. Let us also celebrate our common sense to know how to handle this freedom. I wish all of you a happy and safe 4th of July!!

[BigDeel]

Monday night around 12:00 am I heard a call on the scanner about someone shooting fireworks off in the Kendallville area. Not everyone has common sense and/or control of their kids it seems.

[blue adept]

Monday night around 12:00 am I heard a call on the scanner about someone shooting fireworks off in the Kendallville area. Not everyone has common sense and/or control of their kids it seems.

Are you saying you do?

[BigDeel]

Are you saying you do?

I'm the king of common sense and my kids are young enough that I have complete control of them too

[blue adept]

I'm the king of common sense and my kids are young enough that I have complete control of them too

Talk to me when they are teenagers, and then we will see! As to common sense, I don't buy it!

[Dark Knight]

They were probably people who were told by a fireworks dealer that it was legal to shoot them off. And sense has obviously become less common, lately.

[Dark Knight]

From WLKI.com:

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana State Fire Marshal are offering guidance about local regulation of fireworks. Some legal questions were raised after many communities issued burn bans due to the drought. After talking with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, state officials say local entites may restrict the locations fireworks can be used based upon home rule authority and the local disaster emergency authority. Keeping local restrictions in place can provide proper protections for public safety while still allowing for the celebrations that are common around the 4th of July. Jurisdictions can limit use to certain areas of their communities and prohibit use in other areas in the interest of public safety during the days and hours that fireworks are allowed.


Things were quiet around my house last night, no fireworks, but I have seen some neighbors with campfires. I do plan to report them next time I see one.

[blue adept]

Does that mean they have to stipulate places where they can be set off?

[Copycatted]

No one likes their job getting dumped on even if it's right,even volunteers. Having worked the REN Fare this year I know as a matter of fact County lifted the ban the night of the joust,by fire is about the only light we had for the duration. But common sense was they had their "bucket bragade" there in advance,otherwise County would of never considered it. So any private citizenry might take the warning to maybe have their own preventative measures in place such as a bucket bagrade of their own because it's all about what Hoosier Helen was saying...saving lives. Nobody in here got that start of any common sense from me though or I might be fired in another way from my volunteer work because I like that volunteer work when I don't have to-work

[Copycatted]

Due to the ban no reason to call off your normal party on the 4th or for families ending up being shut-ins from norms on the 4th. Just tune in to the different time zones to watch various displays at different times,even Fort Wayne if theirs is broadcast again this year. Just a "hanky" thought.