Thursday, February 12, 2009

County Enacts Burn Ban

Press Release

February 12, 2009

County Enacts Burn Ban
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2009

Due to the extremely dry conditions in Hernando County, the Board of County Commissioners has declared a drought emergency and activated the ordinance which prohibits open burning.

The burn ban was effective Wednesday, February 11, 2009, and prohibits all outdoor burning activity except that which is permitted by the Florida Division of Forestry. The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.

The burn ban was effective one day after the State Division of Forestry issued a wildfire threat alert due to the dry conditions resulting from the recent repeat occurrences of hard freezes. An abundance of hazardous wildfire fuel conditions such as dry grasses and forest shrubs combined with the lack of rainfall, low relative humidity and breezy afternoon winds have created ideal conditions for wildfires.

Residents should use extreme caution in disposing of any type of flammable materials and call 911 immediately to report any observation of smoke or fire. To learn more about preventing wildfires or practicing "firewise" actions, visit the Division of Forestry website at www.fl-dof.com

Any questions about the burn ban may be directed to the Hernando County Fire Rescue Department at 540-4353 or the Florida Division of Forestry at 352 754-6777, ext. 119.

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