HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners approved a burn ban Wednesday due to drought conditions in the area, authorities said.
The ban is a result of dry weather patterns over an extensive period and will take effect immediately, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office shared on Facebook. The ban will reportedly be in effect for thirty days through June 20 unless it's extended by the board.
Highlands County residents are prohibited from burning anything without a state of Florida Forest Service permit, deputies said. That includes:
- Yard trash, vegetation, grass
- Lumber, trees
- Household paper products
- Debris
The sheriff's office said all bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces, pyrotechnic displays and open cooking fires are included in the ban. However, cooking on a contained gas or charcoal grill is allowed, as well as activities authorized by the Florida Forest Service.
Deputies added that the ban applies to all unincorporated areas of the county, including Lorida and Venus, as well as the special districts of Sun 'n Lake Improvement District and Spring Lake Improvement District. Avon Park, Lake Placid and Sebring are also included.
The Highlands County Fire Chief could terminate the ban if conditions improve, deputies said. But, for now, anyone who doesn't comply will be fined up to $500 or jailed for, at most, 60 days, according to the sheriff's office.
This news comes a week after a brush fire ripped through a Lake Placid neighborhood. The blaze forced 191 people to evacuate their homes and stretched across 318.3 acres, authorities said.
Several homes, sheds and cars were damaged as a result of the fire.