Sarasota County lifts burn ban after recent rains

The burn ban issued earlier this year by the Sarasota County Fire Department has been lifted.

The ban, which was set in place May 5, prohibited unpermitted open burns in the county due to severely dry weather. 

The ban was lifted June 17 as the Keech-Bryan Drought Index fell below 500 for seven consecutive days, reducing the wildfire threat in Sarasota County.

Initially enacted on May 5, the ban automatically took effect when the index for Sarasota County reached 500. 

The index increases for each day without rain, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture. The amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature; the index decreases when it rains. The scale ranges from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800.

County fire officials will continue to monitor conditions. Residents are reminded to take precautions to protect themselves from fire danger and follow local open burning ordinance rules and regulations as outlined in Sarasota County Code Section 54-116.

For more information and tips to protect your property from wildfires, call 311 in Sarasota County or visit SCGov.net/fire.