More counties and cities enacted burn bans Friday. New additions include Elkhart and Koscisuko Counties. Mishawaka also issued a city-wide ban Friday. All these bans mean you may have to make some adjustments to your weekend plans.
The combination of gorgeous weather and Father's day this weekend means a lot of people will be camping. The KOA campground in Granger said they are booked. But unfortunately those campers won't be able to sit around a camp fire and roast their marshmallows and hot dogs.
Camper Eric Parkinson said, "the s'mores can wait." He and his family are camping at the KOA campground in Granger. They were able to have a campfire Thursday but there's no flames Friday because of St. Joseph County's burn ban. Parkinson says it's not ruining their vacation. "It really doesn't change things. Everyone who camps knows there's gonna be times when you just can't have a fire," said Parkinson.
They can have a good time without a fire. And KOA Campground owner Patricia Schenk said a lot of other people can too. Their pool is a big attraction and even though there's no campfires allowed charcoal grills are still allowed. But there is a financial downside to the burn ban. "I cannot sell the firewood that I would have," said Schenk.
In a normal weekend, she'll sell 80 bundles or $400 worth of firewood. Not this weekend.
But Schenk isn't too bothered by the loss. The campground is full and she said it's better to be safe than sorry. "Nobody really wants to be on the national news for the fire tragedy the whole campground burnt down or half the city or something like that," said Schenk.
A Message Clay Fire Battalion Chief Justin Stopczynski hopes everyone takes to heart. "Fires get out of control quickly it only takes a small spark or a hot ember," said Stopczynski.
So everyone will just have to be as creative as Eric Parkinson and his family. They've got an alternative plan to still sort of get that campfire atmosphere. "Sandwiches around the campfire pit without the fire. We'll put a little flashlight in there," said Parkinson.
Potato Creek State Park said they are still allowing campfires this weekend. But depending on the winds and weather that could change at any point. They are just asking people to be cautious and have a water bucket next to the fire.
And Clay Fire said fireworks are considered a fire so they fall under the burn ban too. So they are asking people not to light off fire works. The City of Mishawaka has a fireworks display planned for next weekend. At this point they are not sure if that'll be happening.
