Fire Department Reminds Residents of Open Burning Ordinance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2010

For more information, please contact:
Scott Smith, Fire Prevention Officer, City of Bloomington, 349.3888, smiths@bloomington.in.gov
Jared Schlemmer, Assistant Deputy Mayor, City of Bloomington, 349.3406, [mailto:schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington Fire Department reminds Bloomington residents and Indiana University students of the City ordinance regarding open burning as Spring and Summer begin.

Title 18 of the Bloomington Municipal Code states that burning on private or public property requires a permit from the City of Bloomington Fire Chief and must comply with the codes of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Additionally, IU students should make sure that any open burning is properly certified by the University. According to Mel Lane, Assistant Director of Risk Management at IU, in order to ensure student safety, "Any and all university groups, agencies or Greek houses should obtain the permission of the university before conducting an open burn of any nature. The number to start the process is 855-6341."
The City and IU encourage recreational activities as the weather improves and hope all participants use safe and secure practices as they participate in these activities.
For more information on Title 18 and IDEM state code please visit: [http://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=1881|http://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=1881] or contact Scott Smith, Fire Prevention Officer, City of Bloomington Fire Department, at 349.3888.
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