No county burn bans in Michigan

NILES, Mich. – In Southwest Michigan it’s the question nobody can answer; Are you under a burn ban?

“I don’t know but I think they should be,” said Robert Vaughn of Niles.

“I believe it is but I couldn’t say that for sure,” chimed in Paholski of Niles Township.

Michiana’s Indiana counties have been under county-wide burn bans for weeks from the drought but Michigan counties have been quiet.

“I didn’t know it was any different from Indiana,” said Steve Gurley of Buchanan.

“Unless the governor were to (make) a declaration prohibiting open burning in the state of Michigan, it would be up to the local municipality to determine whether to allow it,” explained Chief Gary Brovold with Niles Township Fire Department.

Niles Township has an ordinance against open burning bur isn’t allowing bond fires during the drought but is allowing fireworks. Just next door in Bertrand Township, bond fires are allowed but fireworks are not.

“You know I’m not sure,” said Paholski. He said a uniform system would make sense. “Everybody would know, (in the) county, you can’t burn.”

“They’re going to have to do something as dry as it is,” said Vaughn.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to have fires,” said Gurley.

Governor Rick Snyder has not made any burning declarations for Michigan.