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Hardee County implements countywide burn ban; enforcement, outreach steps announced
Summary
County manager and public safety officials issued an executive order imposing a burn ban for Hardee County due to dry conditions. The ban began at 8 p.m. the prior evening, will be reviewed weekly and exempts gas and charcoal grills; parks' fire rings were removed.
Hardee County officials announced an executive order instituting a countywide burn ban because of dry conditions and a drought index threshold specified in the county ordinance.
County Manager (name not specified) told commissioners that, following the county's new policies, an executive order implementing the burn ban was issued and took effect at 8 p.m. the previous evening. The county's public-safety director explained the ban follows the county's ordinance that triggers restrictions at a specified drought index; staff said conditions reached the county's internal threshold and the ban will be reviewed every seven days.
The public-safety director noted the county tried to avoid the ban because agricultural and land-clearing burns are a common part of the local economy, but the dryness and minimal rainfall justified the order. He said the county left existing burn permits open until 7:52 p.m. the day the order started so previously issued permits could be completed.
What is and is not allowed - Open burning and outdoor fire rings are prohibited while the burn ban is in effect. - Charcoal and gas grills are permitted; park fire rings have been removed. The parks-and-recreation staff posted signage at park entrances and removed rings to comply with the order.
Outreach and enforcement - County officials said an Alert Hardy notification was scheduled to reach all cell phones within the county polygon and that the county will also post the ban on social media and in the local paper. The county clerk confirmed the executive order is on file. - The public-safety director said county staff are coordinating with municipalities and will continue to update the public if conditions change.
Comments from commissioners and staff - Commissioners noted the ban affects routine community activities such as cooking with open pits and urged broad public notice; county staff emphasized that gas and charcoal grills remain allowed. - County staff said they will re-evaluate conditions weekly and reissue or lift the ban as needed.
Ending: County staff urged residents to follow posted guidance and to watch the county's Alert Hardy and social-media channels for any updates on when the ban will be lifted.
