Forestry Officials: There’s Still A Drought And Burn Ban

July 10, 2011

Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are reminding residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties that the area still is in the depths of an extreme drought and that both counties are still are under county-issued burn bans.

Even though parts of the district have seen moderate rainfall, 75 percent of the area is between 600 and 700 on a scale of 0-800 the standard drought index scale. Fire danger index ratings for the region have dropped to the “Moderate to High” levels.

“Despite improving conditions, Forest Service crews are maintaining a high level of fire readiness and have been busy recently,” according to Joe Zwierzchowski, information officer for the Blackwater Forestry Center.

Escambia County crews recently responded to a late night wildfire near Sorrento Road and Nighthawk Lane near Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. The 15-acre fire was sparked by lightning and did not threaten any structures.

In Santa Rosa County, Wildland Firefighters responded to a wildfire in Holley by the Sea subdivision. Three homes were threatened by the three-acre blaze and one outbuilding and a privacy fence were damaged. The fire was started by two young adults, 18 and 19 years old, shooting fireworks in a backyard.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News