County commissioners enact burn ban for all of Lee
Lee County enacted a burn ban for unincorporated Lee County and municipalities effective June 4 — when the drought index hit 600 — due to increasingly dry conditions throughout Southwest Florida.
The county’s ordinance bans “outdoor burning ignition sources,” including campfires, bonfires and trash burning. Grills for food and backyard fire rings are not included. Officials are asking residents to be mindful of dry conditions and to use good judgment to mitigate potential for significant wildfires.
The Florida Forest Service offers information and tips at:
– Be Wildfire Ready
www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Prevention/Be-Wildfire-Ready
– Ready, Set, Go! Resources
www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Safety/Ready-Set-Go!-Resources
For the county to enact a burn ban, certain conditions must be met, including a Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) that reaches or exceeds a value of 600 out of 800. The county also coordinates with the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association and Florida Forest Service, both of which support the ban.
The ban does not apply to prescribed burns authorized by the Florida Forest Service, authorized public fireworks displays permitted by the county and other government agencies, and fireworks sales authorized by state laws.
The ban is accomplished by the Lee County Commission adopting a State of Local Emergency. Vice Chairman Kevin Ruane signed the State of Local Emergency and burn ban as authorized by a board vote at the June 4 meeting. Conditions were met after the meeting, so the ban was signed and enacted.
County officials will continue to monitor the drought conditions to determine how long the ban will be in place. Visit www.leegov.com and the county’s social media to monitor when the ban is rescinded.