Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The fire ban imposed across Jefferson County in mid-November expired at midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Fire Chief Derrick Burrus reported that there was discussion about extending it an additional week, but because most of the county received 2” of rain by the expiration date, the decision was made not to extend the ban.
“We responded to 20 brush fires in November,” Burrus said, adding that restrictions still apply for any resident contemplating a planned burn.
“It is never legal to burn household trash. Other types of outdoor fires must be attended by a responsible person at all times,” he said. “A water source and appropriate tools should always be on site and easily deployed. Fires exceeding 8' in diameter require a permit from the Florida Forest Service [a division of the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services].”
To find out more about Burn Authorizations, visit www.fdacs.gov. Jefferson County is served by the Florida Forest Service District 4 field office in Tallahassee, which also serves Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Liberty and Franklin counties. To request a Burn Authorization, call 850-681-5951.
However, it is important to note that rainfall has not been sufficient to reduce the drought level reported for Jefferson County as of Thursday, Dec. 4. The upper two-thirds of the county remain in a state of Exceptional Drought (D4), literally the driest patch of earth in the whole country. The lower third is still experiencing Extreme Drought (D3). A graphic showing data since Dec. 4 should be posted on Thursday, Dec. 11. To see updates on drought conditions, visit droughtmonitor.unl.edu.