Indiana Fire Marshal Jim Greeson backed Allen County's ongoing fireworks ban Tuesday, reminding residents that local governments have the authority to enforce the ban despite a state law that normally allows fireworks near July 4.
Greeson said the state's emergency management statute supersedes all other laws and ordinances, allowing Allen County to override the normal open fireworks period that runs 10 days before and after July 4 and some other holidays.
Aside from the county's burn ban, common sense should tell people to avoid setting off fireworks under Indiana's severe drought conditions, Greeson said.
"We have tinder-dry conditions around the state of Indiana," he said. "At this point in the state, any cigarette that's thrown out the window has a 99 percent chance of starting a fire."
Fort Wayne Fire Department Assistant Chief Jim Murua said anyone caught using fireworks could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. Instead, people ought to attend Wednesday's public fireworks show at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, he said.
