Open Burning Law

          The Open Burning Law, IC 13-17-9-1, applies to everyone living in the State of Indiana.  Some cities and townships, such as White River Township, have open burning ordinances that are more strict than the Indiana Law.  However, the Indiana Open Burning Law is enforced state-wide by both local fire departments as well as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.  The law is not only concerned with the fire problem, it is also concerned with the pollution problem of the smoke that is given off from fire.

          For persons within the White River Township Fire Protection District, a permit must be obtained from the fire department before any open burning outside of a non-combustible container can occur.  This permit may be obtained from the White River Township Fire Department Headquarters at 850 S. Mullinix Road, in Greenwood.  For more information on the permitting process and other specifics relating to the White River Township Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance, click HERE.

          Here is a condensed version of the Open Burning Law and a list of the products that are allowed to be burned:
                             
                            * In order to burn leaves the following conditions must exist:

                                            1.  Leaves must be in an unburnable container with a mesh
                                                 covering on the top of the container.
                                            2.  If leaf burning creates a nuisance or fire hazard it is to be
                                                 extinguished.
                                            3.  Leaf burning must take place only during daylight hours and
                                                 the fire must be attended while burning.
                                            4.  Leaf fires are to be extinguished at sunset.
                                            5.  Leaf burning shall not be conducted during stagnate air
                                                 times or during high winds.

                            * A person may open-burn the following:

                                            1.  Vegetation from a farm, an orchard, a nursery, a tree farm,
                                                 cemetery, or a drainage ditch.
                                            2.  Only wood products may be burned.
                                            3.  Recreational fires and ceremonial fires are permitted.
                                                 However, only wood, paper and charcoal products may be
                                                 used.

                           * Remember, the following conditions must be met:

                                            1.  Fires must be attended at all times until extinguished.
                                            2.  All burning must be done during daylight hours only and
                                                 must be extinguished by sunset.
                                            3.  Any time a fire creates a nuisance or hazard the fire shall be
                                                 extinguished.
                                            4.  All fires shall have adequate firefighting equipment on site
                                                 for purposes of extinguishing the fire.
                                            5.  No burning shall be allowed during stagnant or high winds.
                                            6.  Personnel with recreational and ceremonial fires shall give
                                                 notice to the local fire department 24 hours prior to
                                                 the fire.
                                            7.  Private residential burning is permitted in four or fewer units
                                                 only.  Burning may only be conducted in an unburnable
                                                 container and only wood and paper products may be burned.

Remember any violation of the Indiana Open Burning Law
can result in a fine levied by the Fire Department
or the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

          For more information on open burning rules and regulations, see the White River Township Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance or call the White River Fire Department at (317) 888-2338 and speak with the on-duty battalion chief.