Burn ban issued on St. Joseph, other area counties

"When it gets this dry, obviously, we're going to be overly cautious," said Fire Chief John Vanbruaene.

And for good reason, St. Joseph County goes under a burn ban at 6 a.m. on Friday, and Fire Chief John Vanbruaene and his team will be on the lookout and so too, will the police. It's been so dry recently, that County Fire Departments aren't taking any chances in letting a small fire turn into a big one.

"I think people have to realize that this is not a request, it's a legal burn ban. And they can be fined and they can be ticketed."

The first offense in St. Joseph County is fifty dollars, and fines increase with each incident. Disobey an officer's request, and you could be subject to a $1,000 fine and/or a 180 day jail sentence in some surrounding counties.