Hoosier National Forest fire ban continues | News

Hoosier National Forest officials are reminding residents and visitors to the National Forest that a Stage 1 Burn Ban is in place across all areas of the National Forest.  Terry Severson, Fire Management Officer for the Hoosier, reminds residents and visitors that “all nine counties that have Hoosier National Forest land currently have burn bans in place.”  Severson added, “The rain that some areas have received and the recent higher humidity levels have not had any impact of the moisture levels in forest fuels, these are still very dry.”  Extremely dry fuels could result in larger fires and that take more time and effort to control.

Having a Stage 1 Burn Ban in place, means that while on the Hoosier National Forest, visitors are prohibited from:

• Building or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, or wood stove, except in Forest Service designated recreation sites and campgrounds where grills and fire rings are provided.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is cleared of all flammable material at least three feet in diameter.
• Possessing, discharging or using fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices.

The Hoosier is supporting the larger western fires by sending resources, including people and engines to assist.  “We also need to maintain resources to respond to emergencies here at home,” added Brownstown and Tell City District Ranger Chris Zimmer.

A long, sustained rain event across the nine county area that the Hoosier is in is needed to remove the fire bans.  We are hoping for some moisture producing rain events to happen prior to the fall hunting seasons, said Zimmer, “the forecasts aren’t giving any indications of when the ban will be relaxed.”