Charlotte County to consider temporary burn ban

PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County may place a temporary ban on material burnings starting Tuesday.

County Commissioners will vote on a proposed temporary burning ban at their Tuesday meeting, which would take effect immediately.

The resolution came as a result of a letter from Public Safety Director Jason Fair, who cited the risks of the dry season.

“Charlotte County is currently among the three driest counties in the state, all of which are in our region,” the letter stated.

According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — the tracking method for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Charlotte County has a score of 584 out of 800 for dry and heat conditions.

That score is projected to increase 5 to 10 points every day, according to Fair.

Only Sarasota County and DeSoto County currently have a higher drought index than Charlotte County, though nearby Manatee, Hardee and Glades counties have similar index scores.

A temporary burn ban went into effect earlier this month for Sarasota County, which implements a ban automatically when the county’s KBDI score meets or exceeds 500.

The cities of Venice and North Port both instituted own burn bans shortly afterward, the latter of which came after a brush fire in Deer Prairie Preserve.

In his letter, Fair noted that the county could expect “dry and windy forecasts” in the short-term; these conditions would allow any fires to spread faster and burn with “greater intensity.”

He also cited the heavier need for fuel in a possible “post-hurricane environment” as another risk factor for fire conditions.

“This kind of fire behavior and the resulting conditions could risk public health and property, as well as, put a significant strain on Public Safety resources,” Fair wrote.

Local officials had previously cautioned residents to be careful of dry conditions as the dry season began.

Earlier this year, some residents have also raised concerns about fireworks with the County Commission.