HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – Following a period of sufficient rainfall, the county-wide burn ban in Hernando County has been officially lifted, effective immediately. This decision comes as a result of a notable decrease in the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), indicating a reduced risk of wildfire.
The KBDI is a widely used metric to assess drought conditions and the potential for brush fires. The recent precipitation has significantly lowered this index within Hernando County, providing officials with the confidence to rescind the restrictions on open burning.
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Now that the ban is lifted, residents are once again permitted to conduct open burning activities. However, the county reminds everyone that all burning must adhere to the regulations and setback requirements established by the Florida Forest Service.
These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of individuals, property, and the natural environment.
For those with questions regarding specific burn regulations or who need to request burn authorizations, the Florida Forest Service Withlacoochee office is the primary point of contact.
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Detailed information and resources are available on their website at https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Burn-Authorizations.
Hernando County officials urge residents to exercise caution and responsibility when engaging in open-burning activities, even with the ban lifted.
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