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Citrus County continues countywide burn ban as drought conditions worsen
Summary
Following a staff presentation, the board voted 5‑0 to keep the county burn ban in place after the fire chief cited a rising drought index and partner jurisdictions' bans. Commissioners said the action protects public safety and firefighters.
Citrus County’s fire leadership urged the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 26 to continue a countywide burn ban and the board voted unanimously to keep it in place.
The county fire chief reported that the drought index was high (reported in the meeting record as 489) and described vegetation and forecast conditions that made outdoor burning a public‑safety risk. "Based on all these factors, it's my professional judgment that lifting the burn ban would be an unreasonable risk to our citizens in the county," the chief said during his presentation.
Commissioners noted coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and the Florida Forest Service and voted in favor of continuing the ban for public safety. The board’s action was procedural and immediate: the motion to continue the ban passed 5‑0.
