TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County extended its local state of emergency and countywide burn ban Friday.
The ban was declared on March 27 and expected to remain in place through Friday, April 3.
However, to protect “the community as severe drought conditions and escalating wildlife activity continue throughout Florida and the Big Bend region,” county officials said the ban will now remain in effect through Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m.
“Fire risk is not a forecast, it is here and it is now. More than 25 of Florida’s 67 counties are under active burn bans. Our neighbors are already extending their bans,” Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban said. ”I want to thank our residents for their patience and attention to this ban, and our first responders for their continued service in these dangerous conditions.”
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During the ban, all open burning in the county that is not authorized by the Florida Forest Service is prohibited, according to the county’s Friday press release.
That includes the burning of yard debris, land-clearing fires, brush piles and site-preparation burns, bonfires, campfires, fire pits and similar ceremonial or recreational fires on both private and public property, the burning of solid waste, construction debris or household trash as well as the use of burn barrels or similar devices for outdoor burning, according to the county.
Violations of the burn ban may be subject to fines and other penalties, county officials said.
To learn more about the extension, click here.
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