Today, Mayor Andy Cook signed an emergency declaration prohibiting opening burning and all fireworks in the City of Westfield. This declaration is on the heels of Hamilton County’s declaration earlier today. With dry conditions, fireworks are a danger to public safety. The fire department has already seen a 400 percent increase in outside fires this year.
“We’ve had an dramatic increase in fires, no rain, and our water system is strained,” said Cook. “We have an obligation to keep the public safe and that’s what we’re doing.”
With the public’s safety in mind, this declaration prohibits all fireworks including sparklers, bottle rockets, smoke grenades, etc. Indiana State law provides for violations of disaster declarations to be punishable by a Class B misdemeanor. The declaration is in effect for seven days.
In addition to the ban of personal fireworks, the City has also cancelled all public fireworks displays. While the Westfield Rocks the Fourth will continue, the fireworks show has been cancelled.