Monroe County burn ban still in effect

Thunderstorms on Oct. 13 surprised Bloomington after a stretch of extremely dry conditions. The brief showers, were not enough to lift the burn ban that has been in effect for Monroe County since Sept. 23.

Nor were they enough to affect the water level of Griffy Lake, which has decreased drastically over the past few months.

Griffy Lake does not have monitors so it is impossible to tell how much the level has decreased, but the lake has lost enough water to suspend boat rentals for the remainder of the season. While the water loss is partly due to a leak in the sluice gate, a lack of rain has been a large contributing factor. 

“This dry stretch is really abnormal,” Michael Koch, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service of Indianapolis, said. “There has been nothing like this in 47 years, so it’s going to take a couple times of this type of rain to improve the situation.”

While there is no promise of rain in the immediate future, Koch said the situation is looking up.

“The plus side is that the temperatures are only going to be in the mid 60s to 70s,” Koch said. “I think that will be significant in improving the conditions.”

Despite the cooler temperatures, Bloomington Fire Department Chief Roger Kerr said the fire danger remains at a high level; the moisture from the recent rain will evaporate quickly and leave the grass as brittle and dry as before.

“Campfires sound really nice, especially since it’s so cool in the evening,” Kerr said. “But just don’t burn anything if you don’t have to.”

The ban, which will remain in effect until the Monroe County Board of Commissioners votes to lift it, outlaws recreational fires not enclosed in a fire ring, open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood and the burning of debris such as timber or vegetation. Grills fueled by charcoal or propane are an exception, but charcoal must be thoroughly extinguished before it is removed.

“It’s supposed to be sunny for the next four days, and everything will be dry again within 24 hours,” Jim Comerford, director of the Monroe County Emergency Management Department said Wednesday. “We just ask that people continue to honor the ban until further notice.”

Kerr said people have been cooperative with the burn ban, but the fire department has needed to respond to many small bark, mulch and grass fires regardless.
“Just be extremely careful,” Kerr said. “Don’t throw cigarettes out in the mulch or grass thinking it will be okay.”