A burn ban has been instituted for the City of Noblesville and Noblesville Township. Due to the drought conditions, the weather forecast, the risks of fire hazards, and public safety concerns, Mayor John Ditslear, Fire Chief Ken Gilliam and Township Trustee Billie Caldwell signed a proclamation this morning banning open burning within city and township limits until further notice.
The burn ban requires residents to refrain from burning for any reason. This includes bonfires, fire pits, and chimineas. Utilization of a gas or charcoal grill for cooking purposes is acceptable; however, residents must allow charcoal to cool in the grill and then douse it completely with water and responsibly dispose of it afterwards.
The current dry conditions can cause fires to develop quickly and spread out of control, threatening residential areas. The Noblesville Police Dept. will be enforcing the burn ban for its duration.
In regard to fireworks usage, Noblesville is prohibited by the state from banning the use of fireworks completely, even during burn bans. However, City of Noblesville Ordinance No. 50-10-09 imposes the strongest restrictions allowable under state law. Because of the drought conditions, NFD and the city are asking people to voluntarily refrain from shooting off fireworks. The number of outside fires in Noblesville during recent weeks is significantly above average due to the dry conditions. To keep people and property safe, the public is asked to avoid the use of any type of fireworks, sparklers, etc., until the drought conditions are over.
For those who choose to not follow the request to voluntarily avoid shooting off fireworks, the city’s fireworks ordinance states that consumer fireworks may only be used in city limits during the following days and times: between the hours of 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset on June 29 to July 3 and July 5-9; and between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight July 4.
In addition, the ordinance states that a citizen may only shoot off fireworks on his or her private property. Shooting off fireworks on streets, in parks, on property belonging to others, etc. is prohibited. Due to the risks that drought conditions pose, the NPD will be strictly enforcing the city’s fireworks ordinance and will investigate each complaint of a violation. The public may report violations of the fireworks ordinance by calling the Noblesville Dispatch Center’s non-emergency line at 773-1300. This number is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
“Keeping citizens, pets, and property safe is our number one goal,” said Ditslear. “While we hope people will understand and abide by the request to refrain from using fireworks during these dry conditions, we nonetheless have an ordinance in place to limit the days and times for fireworks.”
At this time, the city’s planned fireworks display on July 4 is scheduled to continue. Additional precautions over and above those taken during each year’s fireworks display will be in effect. Noblesville city personnel will continue to monitor the dry conditions and how they might affect the fireworks display.