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Sarasota County warns of heightened wildfire risk, points to automatic burn ban and urges defensible-space and evacuation planning
Summary
Sarasota County officials warned residents of an unusually early dry spell that triggered an automatic burn ban tied to the Keetch-Byram drought index, detailed enforcement options, and urged homeowners and businesses to create defensible space and follow a Ready, Set, Go evacuation plan.
Sarasota County officials held a public briefing to warn residents that an unusually early and severe dry spell has heightened wildfire risk, triggered the county—s automatic burn ban, and prompted steps to prepare homes, businesses and evacuation plans.
Unidentified Speaker from the Sarasota County Fire Department said the county—s ordinance automatically enacts a burn ban when the Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) reaches 500, and the ban remains in place until the index drops below 500 for seven consecutive days. The speaker said the county enacted its first burn ban for the season on Oct. 11, which the speaker characterized as the earliest such action in Sarasota County—s history.
"It is everybody's responsibility to be prepared," the unidentified county official said, urging residents to evacuate…
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