Burn bans issued for St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee Counties amid drought

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — St. Lucie and Indian River Counties declared burn bans on Saturday, joining Okeechobee County as drought conditions worsen.

The ban applies to all non-permitted outdoor burning. Agricultural burning remains the only exception and will be permitted on a strictly case-by-case basis, as authorized by the Florida Forest Service.

During the state of emergency, the following is prohibited:

All outdoor burning of any combustible materialBonfiresCampfiresWarming firesOutdoor fireplacesFireworksCooking fires, unless they are exclusively within a contained gas or charcoal grill.

Deputies also urge motorists to use caution and avoid idling or driving vehicles over dry, grassy areas.

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Earlier this week, Okeechobee County Public Safety Director and Fire Chief Earl Wooten issued a countywide burn ban after consulting with the Florida Forest Service, noting that vegetation moisture levels have dropped to “critically low points,” making the area highly vulnerable to wildfire spread.

On Friday, those concerns were realized when a 240-acre brush fire broke out along NW 160th Street near 144th Avenue.

Residents are urged to comply with the burn ban to reduce the risk of wildfires and to stay alert for further updates from county officials.