Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Jefferson County Fire Rescue Chief Derrick Burrus says that rains predicted for this week will likely not be sufficient to lift the ban currently in place on outdoor burning.
“Conditions have not improved,” Burrus told the Monticello News at press time on Monday, Dec. 1. “We responded to a wildfire in Lamont on Friday which required all on duty personnel and two off duty JCFR firefighters, Lloyd VFD, Wacissa VFD, Monticello VFD, and forestry. The fire threatened homes on South Salt road but no structures were damaged. JCFR, Monticello VFD and forestry responded to Piney Woods on Sunday for a trash fire that escaped a fire pit causing a wildfire. We also responded to fires on south Jefferson and interstate 10 this weekend and to multiple addresses where homeowners were burning and had no knowledge of the ban.”
As of Nov. 26, data released through the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a range of drought conditions have continued to worsen across Jefferson County. The area of Exceptional Drought (level D4), the highest rating, now covers most of the county. The lower, narrower half of the county is now experiencing intensity level D3 (Extreme Drought), the second highest level on the scale. Other ratings on the scale include D2 (Severe Drought), D1 (Moderate Drought), D0 (Abnormally Dry) and None.
Thus, the ban on outdoor burning remains in effect until further notice.
Burrus emphasizes that it is always illegal to burn household trash, including cardboard.
“Anytime residents intend to burn they are responsible to determine whether restrictions are in place,” Burrus explains. “They are responsible for ensuring the fire does not extend to cause harm to lives and property. Fires should never be left unattended, which contributes to most fire extension from burn piles, including one on Waukeenah Highway last week that reached the neighboring property.”
As previously reported, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency on Nov. 19 and issued a temporary countywide burn ban due to ongoing exceptional drought conditions.
“If you have something to burn, it can wait,” JCFR posted. “The risk to life and property is too great with the dry drought conditions. Secure safety chains of trailers so they do not spark on the roadway. Be aware of ATV use and parking in dry grass.”
Because of the ongoing drought conditions, the ban on all outdoor burning issues by JCFR remains in effect until further notice: “The setting of fires to any debris piles, grass, brush or forest covered land, unless authorized by the Florida Forest Service, shall constitute a violation of law.” The ban followed an announcement on Nov. 10 of “Red Flag conditions” with an advisory of “no outdoor burning.” The JCFR notice does, however, allows for “ordinary grilling.”
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. USDM updates can be viewed at droughtmonitor.unl.edu. For local updates from JCFR, follow the Jefferson County Fire Rescue page on Facebook.
IN THE FEATURED PHOTO: Jefferson County Fire Rescue were joined by the county's volunteer firefighters in response to multiple forest fires over the Thanksgiving weekend. The ban on outdoor burning remains in effect until further notice. Photo Courtesy of JCFR