The Allen County Board of Commissioners today decided to keep in place the countywide emergency declaration and "burn ban," due to extreme drought conditions -- until further notice.
This includes unpermitted ignition of consumer fireworks.
The igniting of fireworks by those with proper state or municipal permits is not banned under the order. However, the Commissioners "strongly encouraged" communities to postpone any plans for public fireworks shows or displays until after the emergency declaration ends.
The state of emergency was originally issued by the Commissioners on June 15 and extended last Friday after consulting with officials from the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven, members of the County Fire Chiefs Association and the County's Office of Homeland Security.