Lee County authorizes burn ban after drought
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize a burn ban for unincorporated Lee County and municipalities effective as warranted due to increasingly dry conditions throughout Southwest Florida. The ban will go into effect once the drought index reaches 600.
The County’s ordinance bans “outdoor burning ignition sources,” including campfires, bonfires and trash burning. Grills for food and backyard fire rings are not included. Officials ask all county residents to be mindful of dry conditions.
For the County to enact a burn ban, certain conditions must be met, including a Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) that reached or exceeds a value of 600. Lee’s index value Monday was a mean average of 593 out of 800. The County also coordinates with the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Florida Forest Service.
Charlotte County also has a burn ban, already in effect.
