Columbia County board approves temporary countywide burn ban amid drought concerns

Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday directed staff to draft and sign an emergency resolution establishing a temporary countywide burn ban after fire officials reported a sharp increase in brush fires.

Jeff, a county fire-department representative, told the board that yard trash and household burns have become the primary cause of recent brush fires and that current drought and frost conditions are making fires unusually dangerous. He asked the board to prohibit "all outdoor burning of yard trash, household property, paper products, bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces and chimneys and cooking fires within the jurisdiction" unless the Florida Forest Service issues a permit.

County attorney Joel Foreman and staff explained the procedural steps. Foreman recommended adopting an emergency resolution under the board—s emergency-management powers so a ban could be reissued each meeting if the hazardous conditions continue. "I'm going to draft an emergency resolution," he said, and the board called an emergency session for 3:00 p.m. the same day to consider signing it.

Commissioners voted to proceed and asked staff to circulate the final language and public-notice details to communications staff. The measure, as discussed, would still allow agricultural or construction burns when authorized and inspected by the Florida Forest Service to ensure adequate fire lines and equipment are present.

The emergency action is intended as a temporary public-safety measure. Commissioners said they would revisit the ban at the next regularly scheduled meeting or sooner if weather conditions improve.