Orange County lifts burn ban after week of improved drought conditions

In Summary:

The burn ban was rescinded after the county's average Keetch-Byram Drought Index remained below 500 for seven consecutive days, meeting the requirements outlined in Orange County's Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance. The change applies to unincorporated Orange County and the municipalities of Edgewood, Belle Isle, Oakland, and Eatonville that receive Orange County Fire Rescue services. Officials remind residents that while recreational burning may resume, anyone starting a fire should have the means to extinguish it safely.

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Effective today, the burn ban is currently lifted for unincorporated areas of Orange County and any municipalities that Orange County Fire Rescue services, including Edgewood, Belle Isle, Oakland, and Eatonville.

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Burn bans are automatically instituted under Orange County’s Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500. With the recent rainfall in Orange County, the KBDI average has dropped below 500 for the seventh consecutive day. Per Orange County Ordinance, the Burn Ban in unincorporated areas may be canceled.

Recreational open burning may now resume, and all are encouraged to be safe by always being able to extinguish any fire they ignite.

Key Points:

• Burn ban lifted: Orange County has officially rescinded its burn ban for unincorporated areas effective immediately.
• Rainfall improved conditions: Recent rainfall lowered the county's average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) below the 500 threshold for seven consecutive days.
• Communities affected: The change applies to unincorporated Orange County and the municipalities served by Orange County Fire Rescue, including Edgewood, Belle Isle, Oakland, and Eatonville.
• Recreational burning resumes: Residents may once again conduct recreational open burning in accordance with local regulations.
• Safety remains important: Officials encourage anyone burning outdoors to have the proper means to extinguish a fire and practice safe burning habits.

For more information, visit www.ocfl.net/burnban.