Burn Bans In Effect

June 18, 2011

Burn bans remain in effect in Escambia County, Florida, and in the entire state of Alabama. In Santa Rosa County, officials are asking for caution, but there is no burn ban.

Escambia County issued a burn ban Wednesday afternoon due to the extreme drought and heightened risk of wildfires. The ban issued by Escambia County Fire Chief Daniel Spillman prohibits all open outdoor burning, including trash and debris burning, campfires, bonfires and all other similar fires. Fireworks are also included in the ban.

The Town of Century and the City of Pensacola are included in the burn ban, according to Sonya Daniel, public information officer for Escambia County.

The only exemptions to the ban are state permitted burns, authorized fireworks displays, fireworks sales authorized by state law and outdoor cooking in barbeque grills, smoker and other outdoor stoves at private residences.

Depending on the circumstances, violations could be enforceable by civil citations or criminal penalties if warranted, Daniel said.

In Santa Rosa county, officials are asking residents to avoid any outdoor burning activity, including campfires, bonfires and yard debris and trash burning.

“While no burn ban is in place at this time, if conditions change, the board of county commissioners can take emergency action immediately to enact any necessary burn ban,” said Joy Tsubooka, Santa Rosa County public information officer.

The Florida Division of Forestry is currently not issuing any burn permits.

Pictured top: An unauthorized burn Friday afternoon on Rigby Road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News