A Message from the Martin County Civil Defense Council via Facebook

Whereas, Martin County, Indiana is immediately threatened by a natural disaster- specifically county

wide dead grasses and fields and high fuel availability with high winds and;

Whereas, as of September 16, 2025 we found our county to be at risk of widespread fire hazards

because of the ongoing dry conditions and drying foliage and;

Whereas, a county wide burn ban affecting certain activities is an appropriate public safety response to

the fire hazards presented by the current drought conditions;

Now, therefore, we, the Martin County Board of Commissioners, declare, pursuant to the provisions of

IC 10-14-3-29, that a state of emergency exists in the county and that we hereby invoke and declare

those portions of the Indiana Code which are applicable to the conditions and have caused the issuance

of this proclamation, to be in full force and effect in the county for the exercise of all necessary

emergency authority for protection of the lives and property of the people of Martin County.

We also declare that, effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in Martin County:

1) Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23

inches in diameter by 6 inches high or larger and adequate measures to prevent embers

from being picked up by winds:

2) Open burn of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter,

with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane;

3) The burning of debris, such as timber of vegetation, including such debris that results from

building construction activities and/or windstorm debris; and

4) The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.

Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been

thoroughly extinguished.

In addition, we strongly encourage our residents to attend public displays of fireworks and limit their

personal use of fireworks to those that do not leave the ground, and that they refrain from using aerial

firework devices.

Reference is made hereby made to all appropriate laws and statutes, ordinances and resolutions, and

particularly to Section 10-14-3-29 of the Indiana Code.

All public offices and employees of Martin County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence

in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and execution of

emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state or local.

All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate

with public officials and disaster services in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and

comply with the lawful directions of properly identified oficers.

This burn ban shall be in force immediately and will remain until rescinded by the Martin County

Commissioners.

In witness, whereof, we have hereunto set our hand this 16th day of September, 2025.

Paul R. George, President, Martin County Commissioners

Retha Warner, Vice-President Martin County

Commissioners

Aaron Summers, Martin County Commissioner