Huntingburg extends fireworks ban

The Huntingburg Common Council met in an emergency session on Friday to discuss continuing the declaration of a local emergency and the banning of all fireworks in the city.

The council unanimously approved extending the declaration and ban until such time as Mayor Denny Spinner chooses to lift it.

The ban was put in effect last Saturday, June 30, to curtail the use of the fireworks due to the danger of fire. Huntingburg and other local government entities have had to issue the emergency declarations to get around a state law prohibiting ordinances to control fireworks. A state law passed in 2006 allow personal fireworks from June 30 to July 9 and restricts cities, towns, and counties from passing any ordinance to control their use.

Emergency Declarations last for seven days from their issuance. The Common Council for Jasper and Huntingburg have met and given their mayors power to extend or rescind the bans. Jasper extended Mayor Terry Seitz’ power an additional seven days on Monday and Huntingburg extended Mayor Spinner’s indefinitely on Friday.

Both extensions allow the fireworks ban to stay in place until after the state law’s July 9 end date.

Despite some fast torrential rain that has hit the area recently the ground and foliage remain dry. Jasper and Huntingburg Fire Departments have reported small fires and fireworks were the cause of two fires in St. Anthony on Wednesday and a cigar caused a field fire in Birdseye on Thursday.