Burn Bans In Effect Across Central Florida
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Burn bans are activated when the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Drought Index reaches at or above 500. Currently, Osceola County, Orange County, Brevard County, Polk County, Sumter County, Lake County, and Seminole County have reached the burn bans level.
To better understand this Drought Index or Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), please click HERE and/or read italicized paragraphs immediately below:
The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers. The index increases for each day without rain (the amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature) and decreases when it rains. The scale ranges from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800. The range of the index is determined by assuming that there is 8 inches of moisture in a saturated soil that is readily available to the vegetation.
For different soil types, the depth of soil required to hold 8 inches of moisture varies (30 inches of loam is required, 25 inches of clay is required, and 80 inches of sand is required). A prolonged drought (high KBDI) influences fire intensity largely because more fuel is available for combustion (i.e., fuels have a lower moisture content). In addition, the drying of organic material in the soil can lead to increased difficulty in fire suppression.
High values of the KBDI are an indication that conditions are favorable for the occurrence and spread of wildfires, but drought is not by itself a prerequisite for wildfires. Other weather factors, such as wind, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric stability, play a major role in determining the actual fire danger.
For current KBDI in Florida, please click HERE.
For regional/seasonal KBDI values in Florida, please click HERE.
Burn bans in effect across Central Florida, in the video published on March 28, 2023, by WESH 2 News, as “Burn bans in effect across Central Florida“, below:
For Orange County residents, please refer to Orange County Burn Ban Ordinance by clicking HERE or read below, in italics:
ORANGE COUNTY BURN BAN ORDINANCE
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a burn ban ordinance in February of 2018. The ordinance replaced the need for the Mayor to issue a declaration of emergency. A burn ban means that Orange County residents will not be able to have any open fires of any types, including camp fires, bonfires, yard and trash burning, etc. There are some exemptions to this rule, including firework displays that are properly permitted, cooking on barbeque grills or pits as described in Section 18-7, Orange County Code, or any other valid state or county authorized burn.
WHAT IS A BURN BAN?
When the local drought index meets or exceeds 500, Orange County automatically institutes a burn ban. The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning that has not been specifically permitted. The ban is applicable within the unincorporated and incorporated territory of Orange County. However, municipalities within Orange County may provide notice of exclusion in writing to the Orange County Fire Marshal’s Office. Outdoor burning authorized by the Florida Forest Service is not affected by this ban.
HOW DO I KNOW THERE IS A BURN BAN IN EFFECT?
In the event that the drought index meets or exceeds 500, Orange County will announce the implementation of a Burn Ban through local news media, social media and the Orange County website.
WHEN WILL A BURN BAN BE LIFTED?
A burn ban will automatically lift after the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days. This announcement will be made by Orange County through local news media, social media and the Orange County website.
WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY FAMILY AND HOME SAFE?
Orange County Fire Rescue reminds citizens to take the following actions to protect their families and homes from fire danger:
- Create at least 30-feet of “defensible” – meaning clean and green – space around your home.
- Clear trash and dead vegetation from your front and backyards.
- Remove leaves and debris from roof and gutters.
- Have a plan and an emergency kit packed in case an evacuation is ordered, especially if your home directly abuts wildlands.
- Monitor local media for updates on road closures, smoke conditions and other hazards.
- Use extreme caution when grilling, camping and discarding cigarettes.
- Call 9-1-1 if you see fire in your area.
- Download the OCFL Alert app and sign up for OC Alert to stay abreast of rapidly-changing conditions and warnings for your area.
CONTACT US
Fire Rescue Headquarters
P.O. Box 5879
Winter Park, FL 32793
Email: FireRescue1@ocfl.net
Phone: 407-836-9000
Twitter: @OCFireRescue
To schedule a Orange County school program on Fire Safety Public Education, please click HERE.
To learn more about Wildfires and Wildfire Prevention Tips, please click HERE.
For Florida Forest Service, please click HERE.
For Orange County Safety Alerts and Mobile Apps, please click HERE.
For Orange County Fire Rescue and Firefighter Recruit Hiring Program, please click HERE.
To see some of the fires that occurred in the past month in Central Florida, below:
In the video published on Feb 16, 2023, by CBS Miami, as “Massive fire burning near central Florida nursery“, below:
About 75 firefighters are working to knock out a massive fire burning several acres near a nursery in Kissimmee. Fire officials say there are no injuries, in the video published on Feb 16, 2023, by FOX 35 Orlando, as “75 Florida firefighters battle massive fire burning acres near Kissimmee nursery“, below:
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker More about the community at www.WindermereSun.com
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