Leon County has extended its local state of emergency and countywide burn ban, originally declared on March 27.
The extension will remain in effect through Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m., “protecting the community as severe drought conditions and escalating wildfire activity continue throughout Florida and the Big Bend region,” a county government news release said.
“This drought is not improving — it is getting worse. Every county that borders Leon now has its own burn ban in place, and nearly 1,700 wildfires have burned close to 100,000 acres across Florida this year,” Leon County Commission chair Christian Caban said in a statement.
“I want to thank our first responders who continue to put themselves in harm’s way in extremely dangerous conditions, and our residents for their patience as we work through this. We will lift this ban as soon as fire experts tell us it is safe to do so.”
Here’s more from the release:
Why the burn ban extension?
Since the original declaration on March 27, fire risk conditions across Florida have continued to intensify:
National Weather Service: Fire danger elevated through Monday
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, an extended period of elevated to critical fire danger will impact the region Saturday through Monday. The NWS reports that new fires are expected to spread rapidly, with Monday posing the greatest risk.
NWS indicates fire concerns will ease slightly through the rest of the week as low-level moisture increases, though elevated fire danger will remain most afternoons absent meaningful rainfall.
What is prohibited
During the burn ban, all open burning in Leon County that is not specifically authorized by the Florida Forest Service is prohibited, including but not limited to:
What is still allowed
The burn ban does not prohibit:
Violations of the temporary burn ban may be subject to enforcement under applicable ordinances and state law, including fines and other penalties as provided by law. Leon County Emergency Management will continue to coordinate with the Florida Forest Service and local fire services to monitor fire danger and drought conditions.
The burn ban may be adjusted or lifted in accordance with technical recommendations from fire experts. Residents who observe an unattended fire or signs of wildfire should call 911 immediately.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County extends burn ban as drought worsens
Reporting by Staff report, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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