Weather

Burn ban now in effect due to dry conditions in Sarasota County

WGCU | By WGCU Staff

Published May 5, 2024 at 11:36 AM EDT

The above map shows abnormally dry conditions across the middle portion of the state. The conditions have lead to a burn ban currently in effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards. The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country using 5 classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). The U.S. Drought Monitor is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasotahttps://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasotahttps://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasota — The above map shows abnormally dry conditions across the middle portion of the state. The conditions have lead to a burn ban currently in effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards. The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country using 5 classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). The U.S. Drought Monitor is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasota https://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasota https://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasota

The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers. 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. Updated once every day at 1:15 p.m. Eastern/12:15 p.m. Central (Standard) or 2:15 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Central (Daylight Saving). — The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers.
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.
Updated once every day at 1:15 p.m. Eastern/12:15 p.m. Central (Standard) or 2:15 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Central (Daylight Saving).

A burn ban is currently in effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.

Information from the Sarasota County Fire Department said that under Sarasota County’s burn ban ordinance (Sarasota County Code Section 58-2), burn bans automatically go into effect countywide and prohibit almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500.

All outdoor burning is prohibited unless a permit has been issued and is applicable for the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota.

Exceptions to this include cooking on barbeque grills or pits that do not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height, or any other valid state or county authorized burn.

The burn ban will automatically lift after the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days. This announcement will be made by on scgov.net, on Sarasota County social media pages and through local news media.

Sarasota County Fire Department asks all residents to stay vigilant during these dry conditions and to take the following actions to protect their families and homes from fire danger:

Create three zones of defensible space around your home or business.
Clear trash and dead vegetation from the yard.
Remove leaves and debris from roof, gutters and under decks.
Have a plan and an emergency preparedness kit packed in case you need to evacuate quickly, especially if your home is near wildlands.
Monitor local media for updates on road closures, smoke conditions and other hazards.
Use extreme caution when grilling, camping and discarding cigarettes.
Don’t use anything (i.e. lawn mowers) that may create sparks outside on dry, windy days.
If you see something, say something! Call 911 if you see fire in your area.

Should a wildfire occur, nearby residents are urged to follow the directions from authorities, which may include evacuations in localized areas.

For more information, call 311 in Sarasota County or visit scgov.net/fire.

About Sarasota County Fire Department: Sarasota County Fire Department is an internationally accredited, all-hazards response department that protects life and property through fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services and special operations response serving unincorporated Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota.

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