The Starke County Commissioners are expected to discuss the creation of an open burn ordinance at its meeting tonight.
EMA Director, Ted Bombaghetti, told WKVI that while the County’s burn ban was in effect, information was received that a lot of people were illegally burning garbage, construction materials and tires. The Commissioners want to enact an ordinance that will ban that type of burning activity and impose fines if the ordinance is violated. The Commissioners feel that a local, county-wide burn ban will help curb that type of burning instead of waiting for action from the State.
When asked about residents burning leaves, Bombaghetti recommended that if residents decide to burn leaves on their property they are to make sure that the fire is monitored at all times and to burn small piles so the fire does not get out of control. Local fire departments have been called to several fires that are the result of negligence. Keep a bucket of water
nearby when burning brush. Burning brush or leaves within the Knox City limits is prohibited.
