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Hernando County fire chief urges residents to avoid burning as drought index climbs
Summary
Fire Chief Paul Hasmeyer told commissioners the county remains under a burn ban because drought and KBDI values are high; since the January 8 ban, staff reported dozens of brush fires, unauthorized burns and more than 40 acres burned.
Hernando County’s fire chief and public safety director updated the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday on continuing drought conditions and the county’s burn ban. Chief Paul Hasmeyer said the county remains under a burn ban instituted Jan. 8 because KBDI (Keetch–Byram drought index) values are very high and the state’s forestry service classifies much of the county as severe to extreme drought.
"Since we enacted the burn ban January 8, we've had 38 brush fires, 23 smoke investigations, 138 unauthorized burns, and over 40 acres burned in Hernando County," Hasmeyer said. He told the board the current KBDI is 632 (on a scale where about 800 is equivalent to desertlike conditions) and urged all residents to refrain from burning and to reduce vegetation that can fuel fires.
Commissioners praised recent multi‑agency coordination with forestry, emergency management and the city of Brooksville and asked staff to continue robust public messaging. Commissioner Hamzler thanked the chief for convening partners and noted the importance of clearing underbrush around homes.
Hasmeyer said that staff are prepared to respond aggressively to fires and are coordinating with regional partners; he also noted a future resolution will lift the burn ban when conditions improve. The board asked that the county continue to share warnings and preparedness steps on social media and through local media partners.
What’s next: no change to the burn ban; staff will continue coordinated response and provide a future resolution to lift the ban when safe conditions return.
