PANAMA CITY BEACH − Certain types of beach bonfires are now allowed even if the area is under a burn ban.
In a meeting on April 23, Panama City Beach City Council members unanimously approved the second and final reading of an ordinance to allow propane beach bonfires during a burn ban. The decision came less than a month after Bay County enacted a burn ban because of dry conditions.
The ban was still in place April 24.
“Beach vendors approached the City asking that an exception be made for propane fueled beach bonfires,” the agenda reads. “Given the nature of propane-fueled beach bonfires, (officials with Panama City Beach Fire Rescue do) not believe that they endanger the public health, safety, welfare, or other people or property during a red flag fire warning or no burn order and has no objection to the request.”
Prior to the updated ordinance, the city did not allow any type of beach bonfires during burn bans enacted by the National Weather Service, Florida Forest Service or Bay County.
Bay County commissioners approved the burn ban on April 7. At that time, the Florida Forest Service puts Bay County’s fire potential at “moderate” levels.
“I think the council’s reasoning there was to allow propane-fueled bonfires during those burn bans, only upon a finding that allowing that permit will be safe,” City Attorney Cole Davis said.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach allows propane beach bonfires during burn bans
Reporting by Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
