The Times is doing a series of articles highlighting common laws and rules. Today, we examine open burning. To suggest a law for The Times to highlight, contact the writer.

Fire officials say this is the time of year when people violate the law by raking their leaves and burning them.

Officials are reminding residents that open burning is illegal for residents of Lake and Porter counties, and for residents of Clark and Floyd counties in southern Indiana because of unacceptably high ozone levels.

People who violate the open burning rules can be fined, and they can be held liable if their fire gets out of hand and damages other people's property.

Valparaiso Assistant Fire Chief Dan Lamb said firefighters go out and advise violators of the rules and ask them to put their fires out. If they don't, firefighters will call law enforcement.

There are limited exceptions to the open burning statute, such as ceremonies, cooking and bonfires.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management recommends alternatives to burning like composting yard waste.

According to IDEM:

* Open burning contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, and Lake and Porter counties are among those considered ozone nonattainment areas. Ground-level ozone harms human health, vegetation and damages buildings.

* Smoke from 5 pounds of leaves contains about a pound of air pollution.

* Open burning can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, lung irritation and congestion, shortness of breath and coughing, upset stomach, headaches or memory loss and skin irritation.

* Repeated exposure to smoke can cause developmental problems in children and increase chances of getting cancer.

* Children, the elderly, pregnant and nursing women and those with lung problems are especially vulnerable.