Whitley, Laurel counties under burning ban

 High winds have led Whitley and Laurel County officials to institute outdoor burning bans.

Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses said the county’s ban will likely run through Saturday evening.

“We are supposed to get wind gusts through (Saturday),” Moses said.

“We will lift the ban then, weather permitting,” he said.

Moses said the ban in Whitley County went into effect about 5 p.m. Thursday. Laurel County officials instituted the ban Friday.

Violators may be cited.

“Between court costs and the cost of the citation, that can run between $400 and $500,” Moses said.

Moses said despite the ban, area fire departments have been call to multiple brush fires, though he described them as, “nothing major.”

In addition to the local burning ban, state officials have instituted limits on open burning through Dec. 15.

Burning within 150 feet of a woodline may only occur after 6 p.m.