INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County residents are only allowed to burn dried twigs or limbs and branches that are from their property. It is illegal to burn leaves, stumps, grass clippings, waste lumber, and furniture. They are only allowed to burn items in a non-combustible container with a ventilated covering. The container must be at least 15 feet from a structure, trees, or other object that might catch fire. Residents must attend the fire at all times. Burning is allowed between 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The city asks that residents avoid burning on windy days where sparks could ignite other properties. Children and pets should be kept away from the area.
In addition to the potential for unintended fires, burning damp organic materials may create smoky conditions that make it difficult for people with respiratory conditions to breathe. Please be considerate and refrain from burning materials that will produce excessive smoke.
In conjunction with 2018 National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13), doctors and nurses at the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health urge residents of Central Indiana to use caution when starting any outdoor fire and to never use accelerants to fuel them.
The National Fire Protection Association claims that fires are a leading cause of home deaths and the risks associated with fire are increased with the negligent use of accelerants leading to possible combustion and serious injuries. Thousands of people, including Hoosiers, are injured or killed each year in fires involving gasoline alone.
The Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center hopes to decrease the number of burn injuries by educating the community about the dangers of open flames.
Accelerants such as propane, kerosene, turpentine, ethanol, methanol, gasoline or other extremely flammable liquids should never be added to a fire.
Accelerants in your garage or home should be stored in well-ventilated areas to allow fumes to dissipate. Fumes and flammable liquids can instantly catch fire when ignited by a spark or flame. Gasoline should only be stored in small quantities in labeled gasoline-approved containers away from the house and with a fire extinguisher nearby.
If a fire becomes out of control or someone sustains an injury from fire, call 911 immediately.