Santa Rosa County under burn ban

With more than 95 percent of Santa Rosa County exceeding 600 on the Florida Division of Forestry’s Drought Index, the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners enacted a burn ban June 23.

Even with the storms that recently passed through the county, the National Weather Services estimates Santa Rosa County to be 11.5 inches below normal rainfall levels for the year. The ban will remain in effect until the threat of major wildfire emergencies in the local area has been significantly reduced.

The ban prohibits open burning, to include but not limited to campfires, bonfires, yard debris, and other similar forms of incineration in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.  State permitted burns, authorized fireworks displays, State of Florida legal consumer firework products such as sparklers, fireworks sales which are authorized by state law, and outdoor cooking in barbecue grills, smokers, or other outdoor stoves located at private residences are exempt. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $500.

For more on this story, see the June 30 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.