CHAPTER 7. EMERGENCY FIRE HAZARD AREAS
IC 14-23-7
Chapter 7. Emergency Fire Hazard Areas
IC 14-23-7-1
"Area" defined
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "area" includes the state and the
entirety or a part of a county, a township, a city, a town, or an
unincorporated settlement that is in danger of fire as proclaimed
under this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.16.
IC 14-23-7-2
Declaration of emergency fire hazard area
Sec. 2. If the governor receives information from:
(1) the director;
(2) the county commissioners of a county; or
(3) the executive of a city or town;
that because of drought conditions existing in an area the lives of the
people, forests, fields, woodland, livestock, structures, or other
property are endangered by a fire hazard, the governor may, in the
interest of public health, safety, and welfare, after investigation,
declare an area within Indiana as an emergency fire hazard area.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.16.
IC 14-23-7-3
Notice of proclamation
Sec. 3. The designation of an emergency fire hazard area may be
made at any time and becomes effective upon proclamation by the
governor. Public notice of the proclamation shall be given by:
(1) publication in at least one (1) newspaper of general
circulation in the area affected; or
(2) posting conspicuously in at least ten (10) public places
within the area.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.16.
IC 14-23-7-4
Restrictions on hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons
Sec. 4. For the purpose of this chapter, the governor may, upon
proper information from the department, close, postpone, or abridge
by proclamation the hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons for the
duration of the emergency fire hazard in an area designated by the
proclamation.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.16.
IC 14-23-7-5
Open burning prohibited
Sec. 5. (a) As used in this section, "open burning" means burning
under such conditions 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 above
ground or underground smoldering fires.
(b) A person who:
(1) throws from a vehicle matches, ashes, or burning material;
or
(2) conducts open burning;
during the period of a proclamation commits a Class C misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.16.
IC 14-23-7-6
Annulment of proclamation
Sec. 6. If, after the issuing of a proclamation, the governor is
satisfied that the occasion has passed for maintaining the
proclamation, the governor may annul the proclamation with another
proclamation.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.16.