Effective at 4 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday, September 22, the Greene County Commissioners declared a local disaster emergency due to dry conditions and ordered a ban on open burning in Greene County. This is effective for seven days but it can be extended if necessary. The penalty for a violation could be substantial and all local law enforcement personnel are empowered to enforce the ban and write citations.

The declaration states the lack of rain in Greene County and the continuing expectation of little or no rain for the immediate future necessitates the declaration of a local disaster emergency due to drought. It goes on to say the entire county is threatened by wildfire.

Under this order, open burning is prohibited in Greene County, with some exceptions.

“Open burning” means burning using conventional fuels such as wood, brush or paper, debris or other combustible material, under such condition that the products of combustion are emitted directly into the surrounding air and are not conducted into the air through a stack, chimney, duct or pipe. The term includes but is not limited to above ground or underground smoldering fires, the throwing of matches, ashes or burning material from a vehicle, campfires and other recreational fires, burn barrels, vegetation debris, construction debris, or any other form of burning of combustible materials in open air.

Exceptions:

Campfires or other recreational fires contained in a fire ring at least 23 inches in diameter and at least 10 inches high or higher are permitted.
Burning of charcoal briquettes, hardwood or propane in a confined grill designed for use with charcoal briquettes, hardwood or propane is permitted. Charcoal or hardwood shall not be removed from the grill until thoroughly extinguished.
Burn barrels shall be completely covered with a metal mesh cover with grate openings no larger than 1/4-inch and may be used only from dawn until dusk.

Penalties - Any person who violates this order shall be subject to those penalties set forth in Greene County Code of Ordinances:

A fine of up to $2,500 per violation, or the maximum amount allowable by law for ordinance violations, with such fine to be determined by the Greene Circuit or Superior Court having jurisdiction over ordinance violations.
A reasonable attorney fee to the county for the enforcement of this declaration.

Law enforcement personnel will have the authority to enforce this order. The declaration states, “Any regular or reserve police officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions is hereby empowered to issue and serve a civil citation against any person found to be committing a violation of this local disaster emergency declaration.”